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OBSERVATIONS 



Earl CORNWALLIS' 






ANSWER. 



BY 



Sir henry CLINTON 



ri NeObliviscaris 




PHILADELPHIA: 

JOHN CAMPBELL, 

MDCCCLXVI. 



iibi 






Edition of 250 Copies, 

Of which 75 copies are in quarto, and 25 copies 
in folio. 

/o 



PRINTED BY HET^RV B. ASHMEAD, 

No. 1 102 Sansom Street. 



Sir henry CLINTON's 



OBSERVATIONS 



ON 



Earl CORNWALLIS's 



ANSWER. 



Price Two Shillings and Six-pence. 



OBSERVATIONS 

O N 

SOME PARTS 

OF THE 

ANSWER 

O F 

Earl CORNWALLIS 

T O 

Sir henry C L I N T O N's 
NARRATIVE. 

BY LIEUTENANT-GENERAL 

Sir henry CLINTON, K. B. 



TO WHICH IS ADDED 



AN APPENDIX; 



CONTAINING 



EXTRACTS OF LETTERS AND OTHER PAPERS, 

TO WHICH REFERENCE IS NECESSARY. 



LONDON: 

Printed for J. D E B R E T T, (Succeflbr to Mr. Almon,) 

oppofite Burlington-House, Piccadilly. 

M.DCC.LXXXIII. 

/7^3 



I 



j 



OBSERVATIONS 



O N 



Some Parts of Earl Cornwallis's Anfwer 



T O 



Sir Henry Clinton's Narrative. 



B Y 



LIEUTENANT-GENERAL 

Sir H E N RY C L I N T O N, K. B. 



When I publlfhed a Narrative of my 
condud: during the period of my command in 
North America, which comprehends the cam- 
paign of 178 1, I was in hopes I had faid every 
thing that was requifite to explain the motives 
of my own actions, and to convince every un- 
prejudiced 



2 OBSERVATIONS. 

prejudiced perfon, that certain pofitions refped- 
ing them, advanced in Lord Cornwallis's letter 
to me of the 20th of Odober, had no foundation. 
But it gives me extreme concern to obferve, 
that his Lordfliip's feeming to avow nearly the 
fame fentiments in his Introduction to a late 
publication, ftyled, an Anfwer to that Narra- 
tive, lays me under the neceffity of troubling 
the public again upon a fubjed:, which they 
are probably tired of; and I fmcerely wifhed 
to have done with. I hope, therefore, it may 
not be judged improper to requeft their atten- 
tion to the following Obfervations on fome 
of the opinions and alTertions therein ftated. 
Which (to be as concife as poffible) I fliall take 
according to the order in which they occur; — 
adding only, in an Appendix, the copies of fuch 
extrads from my correfpondence, and other 
papers, as appear necelTary. 

I find upon enquiry that the four letters 
were omitted to be fent to the Secretary of 
State, which Lord Cornwallis mentions to have 
been wanting when the papers relating to this 
bufinefs were laid before the Houfe of Lords. 
But the reafons for his Lordlhip's march from 
Crofs-creek to Wilmington, and from thence 

into 



OBSERVATIONS. 3 

into Virginia (ftated in the firft of them) had been 
before given in his letters of the 23d and 24th 
of April, to the Secretary of State, General 
Phillips, and myfelf; and thefe ftand the firft 
of thofe letters from his Lordiliip's correspond- 
ence, read before the Houfe of Lords; the other 
three letters had been inferted in a pamphlet 
containing extrad:s from our correfpondence, 
handed about at the time of the enquiry; and 
one of thofe pamphlets had been prefented, by 
my order, to Lord Townfliend, as a man of 
honour, and a friend to both parties, previous 
(I believe) to his noticing this omiffion to the 
Houfe; and all the four miffing letters were 
foon after publiflied in the Parliamentary Regis- 
ter, along with thofe which had been read to 
the Lords. So that Lord Cornwallis could not 
well have fuftained any injury by that omiffion. 
This, however, cannot be faid to have been the 
cafe with mine of the 30th of November, and 
2d of December to his Lordffiip, and of the 
6th of December to the American Minifter; 
which were with-held, whilft Lord Cornwal- 
lis's letters of the 20th of Odober, and 2d of 
December (to which they were anfwers) were 

fuffered 



4 OBSERVATIONS. 

fuffered to operate, for a long time, upon the 
minds of the pubHc, to my prejudice. 

My letters of the 30th of November and 2d 
of December, were in Lord Cornwallis's polTef- 
fion, when his friend, Lord Townfhend, moved 
for thofe of his Lordfhip, which he judged 
neceifary to explain his condudl. The public 
will judge, whether mine were not, at leaft, 
equally fo, to explain mine; and whether, on 
finding that the Secretary of State had omitted 
to produce them to the Lords, Lord Cornwallis 
ought not to have delired Lord Townlhend to 
have moved for them. I declare, I would have 
done fo, had I been in his Lordfhip's place. 

The four other letters, taken notice of by 
Lord Cornwallis, were certainly not delivered 
to him before November; becaufe the three 
firft, having been committed to the charge of 
General Leflie, (who was in a manner embarked 
tor the Chefapeak, from the beginning of Auguft 
to the arrival of the French fleet) could not 
have been tranfmitted to his Lordfliip fooner; 
and the laft (the fubftance of which, however, 
had been previoully communicated in the pre- 
fence of a council of war, for his Lordlhip's 
information to Major Cockran, who joined him 

on 



OBSERVATIONS. 5 

on the 9th of 06lober) being fent by an advice 
boat, did not reach the Chefapeak before his 
furrender. But whoever will take the trouble 
of peruling thofe letters, will perceive that his 
Lordfliip's conduct (in the then ftate of matters) 
could not have been influenced by an earlier 
receipt of them. 

Every man of fenlibility muft lament that 
Lord C ornwallis has fo indifcreetly availed him- 
felf of the liberty, he fuppofed was given him, 
by the late change in American meafures. For 
as my fecret and mojl private letter to General 
Phillips, dated April 30, contained nothing 
necelfary for his Lordfliip's juftiiication; the 
publifliing it was highly impolitic at leaft, not 
to fay more — for reafons too obvious to need 
explanation. 

No perfon can be more ready than I am to 
admit the difficulties Lord Cornwallis had to 
ftruggle with; and I fliall always acknowledge 
that I expefted fuccefs (notwithftanding) from 
his Lordfliip's abilities. I left his Lordfliip 
in the Carolinas, with every power, civil and 
military, which I could give him, to carry on 
fuch operations as he fliould judge mofl: likely 
to complete their redud:ion. Where I had 
B hopes 



6 OBSERVATIONS. 

hopes of fuccefs, I ftudioully fought to approve 
without referve. And, as long as I imagined 
his Lordlliip to be in fufficient force, and in 
other refpeds prepared and competent to give 
the experiment of fupporting our friends in 
North Carolina, a fair atidfolid trials I certainly 
approved. But after the unfortunate day of 
Cowpens, w^hich diminillied his Lordlhip's ailing 
army nearly one fourth; and after he thought 
proper to deftroy great part of his waggons, 
proviant train, &c. (whereby he was reduced, I 
fear, to fomething too like a Tartar move) ; had 
it then been poffible for him to have confulted 
me, he would have found that, could I have 
even co?iJhited to his perfifting in his march into 
that province, that confent muff have totally 
refted upon the high opinion I entertained of 
his Lordfhip's exertions, and not on any other 
flattering profped: I had of fuccefs. 

Major Fergufon's misfortune was one of thofe 
untoward circumftances, which Lord Cornwallis 
fays, occurred during the four months fucceed- 
ing the battle of Camden. His Lordlliip, im- 
mediately after the complete victory he there 
obtained, ordered our friends in North Carolina, 
to arm and intercept the beaten army of General 

Gates ; 



OBSERVATIONS. 7 

Gates; promifing them at the fame time, that 
he would march diredlly to the borders of that 
province in their fupport. About this time 
Major Fergufon was detached to a diftance from 
his Lordfliip, with a body of miUtia (without 
being fupported by regular troops) under an idea 
that he could make them fight; notwithstand- 
ing his Lordfhip had informed me, fome little 
time before, that it was contrary to the experi- 
ence of the army, as well as of Major Fergufon 
himfelf. The confequence was, that the Major 
and his whole corps were unfortunately maf- 
facred. Lord Cornwallis was, immediately upon 
hearing of this event, obliged to quit the bor- 
ders of North Carolina, and leave our friends 
there at the mercy of an inveterate enemy, whofe 
power became irrefiftible by this neceflary re- 
treat. This fatal catafhrophe, moreover, loft 
his Lordihip the whole militia of Ninety-fix, 
amounting to four thoufand men, and even threw 
South Carolina into a ftate of confufion and re- 
bellion. 

How nearly the force I left with Lord Corn- 
wallis in the Southern diftrid:, and what I after- 
wards fent to him, might have been adequate or 
not to the fuccefs expected from it, I ftiall not 

now 



8 OBSERVATIONS. 

now examine. It was all I could poffibly fpare. 
But for the latisfadtion of the public, I fliall 
give at the end of the Appendix, a view of the 
force firff left with his Lorddiip, of what was 
fent to him afterwards, and of what was finally 
under his Lordfliip's orders throughout the 
whole extent of his command ; — to contrafl: with 
which, I fliall add alfo another view of the force 
left under my own immediate orders at New 
York, at different periods; giving at the fame 
time as near a calculation as I can make from 
the intelligence received, of the number of 
regular troops which the enemy had oppofed 
V to each of us. I beg leave likewife to mention, 
that before I failed from Charles-town, I offered 
to Lord Cornwallis all he wiflied, all he wanted, 
of every fort; and that his Lordiliip expreifed 
himfelf to be perfectly fatisfied with the troops 
he had, and wifhed for no more, as will appear 
from the letters annexed. What the exadf 
ftrength of the corps under his Lordfhip's im- 
mediate command may have been at any given 
period, I cannot afcertain, as I had not regular 
returns of them; but his Lordfliip did not make 
any complaint to me of the fmallnefs of his force 
when he commenced his move into North 

Carolina ; 



OBSERVATIONS. 9 

Carolina; and I always thought it to be full as / 
large as I had rated it at. 

I cannot judge of the affurances of co-opera- 
tion which Lord Cornwallis may have received 
from our friends in North Carolina, but from 
his Lordfhip's report; and his Lordfliip beft 
knows, whether he received any after the effeBs 
of Major Fergufons misfortune were known. But 
his Lordfhip cannot forget that our friends, who 
had rifen by his order, were left expofed to ruin 
by his retreat, and numbers of them actually 
malfacred. I am therefore at a lofs to guefs 
what may have been his Lordfliip's reafons for 
being furprized that they failed to join him after 
the victory at Guildford; as fuch effort of loyalty 
could fcarcely be expedied from them after their 
part fufferings, when they faw his Lordfhip's 
army fo greatly reduced after the aftion, and fo 
fcantily fupplied with provilions; which, with- 
out doubt was very far fliort of that folid fup- 
port which they had been encouraged to exped: 
from his Lordfliip's promifes. And indeed his 
Lordfliip might have fuppofed that thefe were 
their fentiments from what followed, as defcribed 
by himfelf. "Many of the inhabiiants rode into 

"camp, 



lo OBSERVATIONS. 

"camp, Ihook me by the hand, laid they were 
"glad to fee u*^, and to hear we had beat Greene, 
and then rode home again;" — no doubt with 
aching hearts, from the melancholy fcene his 
Lordlhip's camp '■^encumbered with a long train 
'"'' of Jick and wounded^' exhibited to their view. 

But as this attempt (fuch as it was) had failed, 
furely Lord Cornwallis's next objedl fliould have 
been, to feciire South Carolina: and this appears 
to have been his Lordfliip's own opinion when 
he wrote his letter to General Lellie of the 1 2th 
of December, 1780: — "We will then give our 
"friends in North-Carolina a fair trial. If they 
"behave like men, it may be of the greateft 
"advantage to the affairs of Britain. If they 

" are as as our friends to the fouthward, we 

"muft leave them to their fate, and yt'a/rt' what 
''^ we have got r Had I not confequently every 
reafon to exped: his Lordiliip would have done 
lo? To what purpofe then did his Lordlhip 
march to Wilmington from Crofs-creek, as he 
was fo much nearer Camden and South Caro- 
lina? Or, even when at Wilmington, (as he 
could not but be apprehenlive for the fafety of 
South Carolina, from General Greene's march 

into 



OBSERVATIONS. ii 

into that province ; — and even for Charles-town,* 
^^whofe old works were in part levelled, to make 
" way for new ones, which were not yet cofiJiruSled ; 
^^ and whofe gar r if on was inadequate to oppofe any 
'"''force of confequence ;' which material informa- 
tion it is prefumed Colonel Balfour could not 
have failed communicating to his Lordiliip as 
well as to Lord Rawdon,) why did not his 
Lordfhip retire to Charles-town by the route of 
Lockwood's folly and the Waggamaw ? Which, 
it is the opinion of many others as well as mine, 
was practicable. For gallies might have fecured 
him the palTage of that river, and we then held 
the poft of George-town upon its banks : it was, 
moreover, early in the month of April, long 
before the droughts fet in, and it may therefore 
be prefumed there was not much danger of the 
mills wanting water, as his Lordfliip feems to 
have apprehended. Had his Lordfliip fortu- 
nately done fo, South Carolina would have been 
faved, and the fatal cataftrophe which after- 
wards happened to his army in the Chefapeak 
avoided. Lord Cornwallis in anfwer to this, 

fays, 

* Vide Lord Rawdon's Letter to Lord Cornwallis, dated May 
24, 1781. 



12 OBSERVATIONS. 

fays, "that he decided to march into Virginia, 
"^j- the fafeji and iiioji effe filial means of employing 
" the J mall corps under his comtnand. For the 
"force in South CaroHna was in his opinion 
"fufficient, when colledied, to fecure what was 
"valuable to us in that province." But his 
Lordfliip's letter to General Phillips, of the 
24th of April, (written a day or two before he 
moved) fo far from reprefenting this march as 
a Jafe one^ defcribes it as mofi: perilous. And if 
there was a poffibility that his Lordfhip's return 
to South Carolina (even by fea) might prevent 
any material part of that province or Georgia 
from falling into the enemy's hands, (as many 
of the pofts there did, notwithftanding his 
Lordfliip's opinion of the fufficiency of the force 
to fecure theniy) it may be prefumed, that his 
Lordfliip's march ifito Virginia was not the mojl 
effcBual means of employing the corps under his 
command^ as the event has but too well proved 
to our coft. Lord Cornwallis gives likewife 
another reafon for this move. He fays, "he 
"was influenced by having jufl: received an ac- 
" count from Charles-town of the arrival of a 
"frigate with difpatches from me. The fub- 
"flance of which then tranfmitted to him was, 

" that 



OBSERVATIONS. 13 

"that General Phillips had been detached to the 
" Chefapeak, and put under his orders. Which 
"induced him to hope that Jo lid operations ?night 
^^ be adopted i?i that quarter.'' I {hall therefore 
take the liberty of faying a few words on this 
palTage, which appears to me very necelTary to 
be explained. 

The difpatches his Lordfhip alludes to, were 
my letters to his Lordfhip of the 2d, 5th, and 
8th, of March, with a copy of my inftrudlions 
to General Phillips. Captain Amherft, of the 
Sixtieth regiment, having charged himfelf with 
thofe of Lord Cornwallis, and other difpatches 
for Colonel Balfour, failed from New- York on 
the 20th of March, in a merchant ihip, called 
the Jupiter. And as Colonel Balfour acknow- 
ledged the receipt of them all, in his letter to 
me of the 7th of April, it is prefumable they 
were delivered to him on or before that day. 
This letter was brought to me by his Majefty's 
fliip Amphitrite; which, having in her way 
called at Cape Fear, brought me a letter like- 
wife from Lord Cornwallis, at Wilmington, 
dated the loth of April. It is therefore to be 
lamented, that neither the difpatches themfelves, 
nor the fubftance of them, had been tranfmitted 
c to 



14 OBSERVATIONS. 

to his Lordfhip by that (liip. The Speedy packet 
too, which was fent from Charles-town foon 
after the Amphitrite, with letters to me of the 
20th of April, called likewife in her way at 
Cape Fear, and brought me letters from his 
Lordfliip of the 22d, 23d, and 24th of April; 
but I am concerned to obferve, that fafe oppor- 
tunity of conveying my difpatches to his Lord- 
fliip was alfo miffed. Although Lord Cornwal- 
lis, in his letter to the American minifter of the 
23d April, and in his introduction, intimates that 
the fubftance of thofe difpatches was fent to him 
on the 22d April; I fliould, notwithftanding, 
fuppofe, that what was fent to his Lordfliip as 
fuch muft have been improperly ftated. For by 
having recourfe to the difpatches at large, it will') 
be feen, that fo far from i?iducing his Lordfiip to' 
hope that folid operation might be adopted in Vir- 
ginia, (as he intimates the fubffance of them did) 
it is prefumed, they would on the contrary have 
convinced him, that I had not even an idea of 
the fort (which, indeed, his Lordfhip might 
have already judged from my letter of 6th No- 
vember) and therefore, inftead of influencing 
his Lordfliip's move into that province, they I 
might have moft probably prevented it. But ' 

when 



OBSERVATIONS. 15 

when the PubHc have read my letters to Lord 
Cornwallis of the 2d, 5th, and 8th of March, 
and my inftrudtions to General Phillips, they 
will be competent to judge in what manner they 
were mofi: likely to influence his Lordfliip, had 
he received them, or even the fubftance of them, 
before he commenced his march into Virginia, 
as I think his Lordfhip might have perceived 
by the inJlruBions that Generals Phillips and 
Arnold, with part of the Chefapeak corps, were 
to be drawn back to New- York for a particular 
fervice, after a certain time ; — and by the letters^ 
that a confiderable French armament was failed 
from Rhode-illand to the Chefapeak. It is con- 
fequently prefumable, that in the jirjl injlance 
his Lordfliip would not have marched into Vir- 
ginia, leji he fioiiid interfere with my plans; and 
and that in the other he would have been equally 
cautious of doing fo lejl he JJjould hazard the de- 
finition of his own corps, fhould the troops in 
Chefapeak happen at the time to be inverted at 
Portfmouth, which from thofe letters would ap- 
pear very probable to be the cafe. 

I will frankly own that I ever difapproved of 
an attempt to conquer Virginia before the Caro- 
linas were abfolutely reftored. However, when 

I faw 



i6 OBSERVATIONS. 

I faw that Lord Cornwallis had forced himfelf 
upon me in that province, I left him at Uberty 
to ad there as he judged beft, as may appear by 
my letter to his Lordfliip of the 29th of May, 
which was the firfl: I had an opportunity of 
writing to him after my knowledge of his arri- 
val at Peterfburg, or of his intentions of coming 
there. 

Although Lord Cornwallis thought proper 
to decline engaging in the plan of operations 
which I had propofed to him in cafe he had 
none of his own ; I am at a lofs to guefs what 
may be his motives for faying, ^^ I did not fee fn 
^^ inclined to take ??wre JJjare in the refpon/ibility than 
^^ barely to reco7nmend it;' and indeed I cannot 
think his Lordfliip was really ferious in fuggeft- 
ing an infinuation fo apparently groundlefs. For 
it is manifeft that my letter to General Phillips 
of the 30th of April (publiflied by Lord Corn- 
wallis) conveys to him and General Arnold the 
moji explicit inJiruBions for carrying thofe opera- 
tions into execution; and it can fcarcely be 
doubted, that thofe inftrudtions were equally 
explicit to his Lordjhip, the moment the com- 
mand of that army devolved upon him. Befides, 
though it may be admitted that I only barely 

recojumended 



OBSERVATIONS. 17 

recommended the move, in my letters on the fub- 
je6t to his Lordihip (becaufe it had been hitherto 
ufual for me to leave him to his own difcretion) 
yet I am perfuaded a reference to my corref- 
pondence (as publifhed by Lord Cornwallis and 
myfelf ) will fliew that thofe recommendations 
were fufficiently explicit to iix refponfibility 
upon me, had his Lordfliip adopted my plan, 
and afterwards failed. 

Lord Cornwallis is pleafed to fay, "that he 
*' informed me he iliould repair to Williamfburg, 
"about the time when he (liould receive my an- 
"fwer, in order to be in readinefs to execute my 
"commands; and that he fliould employ the inter- 
^Unediate /pace in deftroying fuch of the enemy's 
"ftores and magazines as might be within his 
"reach." — The letter which is thus explained 
was dated the 26th of May, at Byrd's, a little 
more than twenty miles from Richmond, which 
is fifty from Williamfburg, and is exprelTed in 
the following words: "I fliall ?iow proceed to 
" dillodge La Fayette from Kichmond^ and with 
"my light troops to deftroy any magazines or 
"ftores in the neighbour hoody which may have 
"been collected either for his ufe or for General 
" Greene's army. From thence I purpofe to move 

"to 



i8 OBSERVATIONS. 

"to the Neck at Willi atnjhurg^ which is repre- 
"fented as healthy, and keep myfelf unengaged 
"from operations which might interfere with 
"your plan for the campaign, until I have the 
" fatisfad:ion of Hearing from you. I hope I 
^^ fiall then have an opportunity to receive better 
" infor?nation than has hitherto been in my power 
" to procure relative to a proper harbour and place 
*^ of arms. At prefent I am inclined to think 
" well of York. The objections to Portjmouth are, 
^^ that it cannot be made Jlrong without an army to 
" defend it, that it is remarkably unhealthy, and cari 
^^ give no proteBioii to a Jljip of the line.'' From 
the foregoing letter I naturally concluded, that, 
as foon as his Lordfhip had finiflied the fervice 
he was gone on, (which I did not imagine would 
have taken up above fix or feven days at moft) , 
he would endeavour to obtain infor?natiofi refpeB- \ 
ing a proper harbour and place of arms ; and having 
found it, that he was actually employed in eftab- 
lifhing a poll: there. For, not having received 
any letter from his Lordfhip between the 26th 
of May and 30th of June, I was totally ignorant 
of his having changed his defign, (as defcribed 
in his letter of the firft date) and gone acrofs the 
country towards Frederickfburg, by Hanover Court- 

houfe ; 



OBSERVATIONS. 19 

houfe; an operation which took his Lordfliip a 
complete month before he reached WilUamfburg. 
But had his Lordfhip fortunately explained to me 
his infl:ru(5tions in that letter in the fame manner 
he has now explained his letter, I fhould have 
feen that his Lordfliip had no idea of eftablifh- 
ing a poft on the WilUamfburg Neck : and,| 
when I found he had no plan of his own, would 
of courfe have fent early and explicit orders foit 
that purpofe, either to his Lordiliip, or in his\ 
abfence to General Leflie, whereby much time 
might have been faved, and the fatal cataflrophe 
that followed — at leaft retarded, by his Lordfhip 
being in a better ftate of defence than that in 
which the enemy found him. For, though from 
his Lordfliip's letter to me of the 2 2d of Auguft*, 
I had every reafon to fuppofe that a proper fur- 
vey of the ground had been taken, and a judi- 
cious plan fixed on for fortifying it ; I very much 
fear that nothing material was done until after 

the 

* ExtraSi. — Letter from Lord CornwaUis to Sir H. Clinton^ 
dated Tork-Toiun^ ^^gH/^ 22, 178 1. 

" The engineer has finiflied his furvey and examination of 
*-^this place^ and has propofed his plan for fortifying it; which, 
"appearing judicious, I have approved of, and directed to be 
"executed." 



20 O B S K R V A T 1 O N S. 

the arrival of the French fleet on the 29th of 
Auguft, as the engineer has fince given me to 
understand (when I aiked him for his furvey) 
that he did not take one. There appears, there- 
fore, to have been a mifapprehenflon fomewhere 
refped:ing this matter, as well as the number of 
intrenching tools; which, though computed by 
his Lordfliip* to be only about four hundred 
when he began to work on the York flde, I find 
by his engineer's reports, in my poffeffion, to 
have been 992']- on the 23d of Auguft, the day 
on which (it is prefumed from the letter before 
quoted) he began to break ground. 

Lord Cornwallis is alfo pleafed to fay, " Who- 
"ever reads the correfpondence will fee, that 
"fince Sir H. Clinton had declared pofitively in 
"his firil, and in feveral fubfequent difpatches 
"againft the plan for reducing Virginia, no 
''explicit alternative was left to me, between 
"complying with the requifition (contained in 

"his 

* Extra£l. — Letter from Lord Cormvallis to Sir H. Clinton^ 
dated York-Toxvyi^ October 20, 178 1. 

"And our Itock of intrenching tools, which did not much 
'^'^ exceed four hundred^ ivhen lue beg/in to tuork in the latter end 
"of Auguft, was now much diminiflied." 

t Vide the return in the Appendix. 



OBSERVATIONS. 21 

"his letters of the nth and 15th of June) of 
"fuch troops as I could fpare from a healthy 
"defenfive ftation, or engaging in operations in 
"the Upper Chefapeak." But this conclufion 
does not, I prefume necelTarily follow; for 
though it is admitted that the whole of my 
correfpondence with the American Minifter 
and Lord Cornwallis uniformly declare my fen- 
timents, of the impradlicability of reducing Vir- 
ginia by an operation folely there, without the 
good-will and aid of the inhabitants, — and of 
the bad policy of the meafure from the un- 
healthinefs of the climate; and I was equally 
uniform in expreffing to his Lordfhip my wishes, 
that he would adopt my ideas of the move to 
the Delaware Neck, &c. againft which there 
were none of thofe objedlions. Yet, when I 
found that his Lordfhip was averfe to engage in 
the operations concerted with General Phillips, 
and that he concurred with that officer refpe6t- 
ing the propriety of changing the poft of Portf- 
mouth for one more healthy and defenlible, I 
gave my confent to the change propofed, and 
referred his Lordfhip to my correfpondence with 
General Phillips for my opinions thereon. His 
Lordfhip might have therefore judged that I 
D exped:ed 



22 OBSERVATIONS. 

expeded he would immediately carry into exe- 
cution this part of my plan, efpecially as his 
Lordfliip might have recollected that he told 
me in the letter before quoted, "That he hoped, 
"when he got to the Williamfburg Neck, he 
"fhould have an opportunity to receive better 
"information than had hitherto been in his 
"power to procure, relative to a proper harbour 
*^ and place of armsT Wherefore, as his Lord- 
fliip was left at liberty by my letters of the i ith 
and 15th of June, to detain all the troops, if he 
had not finiflied the operations he was engaged 
in: and as his Lordfliip had not co??ipkted his 
f?ieajures relative to a proper harbour and place of 
arms, which appears from his letter to have been 
one of the operations he propofed engaging in; 
it may be fairly concluded that an explicit alter- 
native was left him. For the letter of the 1 1 th 
of June explicitly recommends to his Lordfliip 
the taking a healthy defenfve fation wherever he 
chofe on the Williamfburg Neck; and only calls 
for what troops he could fpare from its ample 
defence and other purpofes mentioned, after it 
was taken. And as his Lordfliip had not yet taken 
that Jiation, the troops were without doubt to be 
detained ; — becaufe in that cafe only my letter re- 

quefled 



OBSERVATIONS. 23 

quefted them to be fent; but though his Lord- 
fhip might poflibly have underflood the letter 
differently at the time, we may at leaft fuppofe 
that, as it referred him to other letters of the 
29th of May and 8th of June, for a further ex- 
planation of my wifhes, and thefe letters had not 
then been received by his Lordfhip, he had very 
fufficient reafon to fufpend at leajl his intention of 
croffing James River, until he either received 
them or heard again from New- York. Lord 
Cornwallis endeavours to invalidate this reafon- 
ing by faying, "that the choice of a healthy 
"ftation was controlled by other material con- 
" fiderations, particularly the iniJitinent danger of 
^* New-Tor k J and the important effeBs expeBed 
^from the expedition againji Philadelphia T His 
Lordfhip will, however, forgive me if I cannot 
difcover from whence thofe confiderations arofe ; 
as my letters of the 1 1 th and 1 5th of June (which 
were the only letters he had^ then received) do 
not defcribe New- York to be in any fort of dan- 
ger, and his Lordfhip by his anfwer to thofe let- 
ters feemed of opinion, that the projeB againji 
Philadelphia was then become inexpedient. I am 

therefore 

* Vide his Lordfhip's letter of the 30th of June. 



24 OBSERVATIONS. 

therefore forry to be under the neceffity of re- 
peating, that it is my opinion, his Lordfliip 
totally mifconceived all my orders and intentions 
refpeding this bufmefs, when he judged they 
warranted his pajfing 'James River and retiring 
to Portf mouth; — which I could not poffibly fuf- 
pe6t his Lordfhip would make choice of as a 
healthy defenftble fiation, after he had juft told me 
in his letter of the 26th of May, "that it was 
''remarkably unhealthy, and [though fortified) re- 
'' quired an army to defend it.'' But our corre- 
fpondence is now before the public, and they will 
judge whether my orders authorized his Lord- 
fhip to do fo, and whether confequently fix 
weeks at leafl: were not loft in fe curing a place of 
arms, which we both feemed to concur in opinion 
was necefi^ary. With refped; to his Lordfhip's 
faying, " It will be feen by the correfpondence 
" that the Commander-in-chief's opinion of the 
" indifpenfible neceflity of a harbour for line of 
"battle fliips only appears in his letter of the 
"nth of July, after he had been acquainted that 
"the troops intended for the expedition againft 
"Philadelphia would be foon ready to fail," 
(thereby intimating that it was a new idea juft 
then ftarted) I prefume it may be eafily made 

appear 



OBSERVATIONS. 25 

appear from the fame correfpondence, that fo 
far from being a new idea, the taking a Jiation 
for large fldips was one of the earlieft and princi- 
pal objedis recommended to General Phillips's 
coniideration and enquiry.* And I think it may 
be inferred, from his Lordfhip's objediing to 
Portfmouth, in the letter of the 26th of May, 
^^ becaufe it could not give proteBion to a Jlnp of the 
'Uine^' that he regarded it as fuch, and confe- 
quently went in fearch of a naval ftation as Jiand- 
ing in that general officer s place, it being appa- 
rently from that letter one of the principal 
reafons which induced his Lordfhip to go to the 
Williamiburg Neck. 

Lord Cornwallis fays, "Hampton-road was 
"recommended by that order; but as it was 
"upon examination found totally unfit for the 
"purpofe defired, every perfon can judge whether 
" the order did not then in its fpirit become poftive 
^^ to occupy Tork and Gloucefer." To enable every 
perfon therefore to judge whether it did or not, 
I fhall beg leave to tranfcribe the words of the 
order. "I requeft that your Lordfhip will with- 
" out lofs of time examine Old Point Co?nfort, and 

'fortify 

* Vide inftruftions of the loth of March. 



26 OBSERVATIONS. 

''fortify it. But if it fhould be your Lordfliip's 
"opinion that Old Point Comfort cannot be held 
" without having poffeffion of Tork, for in this cafe 
"Gloucefter may perhaps be not fo material) 
'■'and that the whole cannot be done with less 
" than feven thoufand men, you are at full liberty 
"to detain all the troops now in Chefapeak, 
"which I believe amount to fomewhat more 
"than that number. Which very liberal con- 
"ceffion will, I am perfuaded, convince your 
"Lordfhip of the high eftimation in which I 
"hold a naval ftation in Chefapeak." If nothing 
elfe had been faid to Lord Cornwallis, or Gene- 
ral Phillips, upon the fubjed: of a naval ftation, 
but what this order contains; there could not in 
my humble opinion be a doubt, that his Lord- 
fhip was not at liberty to take any other than 
Old Point Comfort, — except he fhould be of 
opinion that Tork was neceffary to cover it, in 
which cafe he might take Tork alfo; and as the 
two pofs might probably require more troops 
than were intended to be left in Chefapeak, his 
Lordfliip was at liberty to detain the whole for 
fortifying and garrifo?iing them. I dare fay Lord 
Cornwallis faw the order in this point of view ; — 
but judging that Old Point Comfort was totally 

unfit 



OBSERVATIONS. 27 

unfit for the purpofe defired, he had recourfe to 
the inftrucStions and letters to General Phillips in 
his pofleffion, to fee whether they would authorife 
him to rejed: it, and look out for another. And 
difcovering that my inftrudiions to that General 
officer gave him leave, " in cafe the Admiral dif- 
" approving Portfmouth fliould require a fortified 
"flation for large fhips in Chefapeak, indi JJjoiild 
^^ propofe York town or Old Poifit Comfort^ to take 
"pofi'efilon thereof, if pofi^effion of either could 
"be acquired and inaintained without great rijk or 
^Uofs ;'' his Lordfhip conceived he fhould a6t ac- 
cording to the fpirit of my orders, by taking 
York and Gloucefter. I am however humbly 
of opinion, that admitting the propriety of his 
Lordfliip's confulting other papers befides the 
order immediately before him, the order (even 
as explained by the infi:rud;ions) did not become 
pojitive to occupy York and Gloucejier. For it does 
not appear that the infl:ru6tions authorifed either 
General Phillips or his Lordfliip to occupy York 
or Old Point Comfort, unlefs they JJjould have been 
propofed by the Admiral for a naval Jt at ion. But 
the poft of York and Gloucefter never having 
been propofed by the Admiral either to his Lord- 
fhip or me for a naval ftation, as Old Point Com- 
fort 



28 OBSERVATIONS. 

fort was, but only barely mentioned to his Lord- 
fliip by the Admiral, as likely to command one 
of the principal rivers if it could be fecured; and 
it at laft appearing by the letter of 20th October, 
to have been his Lordfliip's opinion that it was 
incapable of being Jo ; it may be prefumed that his 
Lordfhip did not a6t conformable to either the 
fpirit or letter of the order in taking it, — and 
confequently that his doing fo was entirely of his 
own ?notion and choice. But, being probably aware 
of this conclufion, his Lordfliip fays, " as the har- 
"bour was the indifpenfible obje6t, he took York, 
"being the only one in Chefapeak that he knew 
"of" In which (no doubt) his Lordfliip would 
have been perfectly juftifiable if the objeBions to 
it were not fiich as he thought forcible T But it 
appears from his Lordfhip's letter of the 20th of 
06lober, that the objeSlions to that pojl were fuch 
as he thought forcible. It may therefore be a 
matter of fome furprife, that, as his Lordfhip 
thought proper to avail himfelf of the latitude of 
choice he fuppofed given him by the inftrucStions 
to General Phillips, it did not occur to him that 
the fame inftrudtions diredted him to ^^ decline 
" taking either York or Old Point Comfort, if his 
'"'' obj cations were fuch as he thought forcible.'' And 

as 



OBSERVATIONS. 29 

as Lord Cornwallis never Jlated his objeBions to 
the pojl of Tork either to the Admiral or me, 
as thofe inftrudlions directed him to do, if he 
had any; it may be aflerted that his Lordihip 
alone is anfwerable for whatever impropriety 
there may have been in taking the poji of Tork 
and Gloucejier ; as it is I prefume, clear from the 
foregoing reafoning, that, having under the 
fand:ion of the inftrudiions to General Phillips, 
declined taking poffeffion of Old Point Comfort 
(which his Lordfliip was politively directed to 
occupy by the order of the nth of July,) his 
Lordfhip had the fame authority for declining to 
take Tork or any other naval fation^ "could they 
"not be acquired and maintained without great 
^^rijk or lofs, and fo well and fo foon fortified as 
^^ to be rendered hors d' infulte before the enemy 
^^ could move a force, &c. agai?ifi them;'"^ which 
his Lordfhip's letter of the 20th of Odlober 
intimates to be his opinion the pofl of York 
could not be from the dif advantageous nature of 
the ground. 

Having 

* Vide the inftruftions and fubftance of converfations with 
General Phillips ; as quoted by Lord Cornwallis in his letter 
dated July 26, 1781. 

E 



30 



OBSERVATIONS. 



Having reprefented to the minifter for the 
American department the danger of operations 
in Chefapeak without a covering fleet; and 
having been in confequence promifed that I 
fhould have it; and being told by Admiral 
Hood upon his arrival that he had brought 
me a fufficient one; I gave Lord Cornwallis 
of courfe all the hopes I could, and ^^ ccrtahily 
^' promifed to fticcour him in per f on ^ by moving into 
" Chefapeak with four thoufand troops^' the in- 
ftant the Admiral fliould inform me the paflage 
to him was open, or would undertake to convoy 
me. But as his Lordiliip did not receive thefe 
hopes (fuch as they are) before the i6th of 
September; (for I muft ftill perfift in declaring 
that I never gave his Lordiliip afjurances of the 
exertions of the navy before my letter to him of 
the 24th of September, which he received on 
the 29th — as aflerted in his Lordfhip's letter of 
the 20th of Od:ober) Surely his Lordfliip's 
hopes of fuccour muft have been but fmall 
between the 29th of Augufl and that period, 
when he knew there was an enemy's fleet of thirty- 
flx fail of the line blocking him up, and a formi- 
dable army colleBing to invefl him, "in an in- 
" trenched camp, fubjed in moft places to 

''enfilade 



OBSERVATIONS. 31 

"enfilade, and the ground in general difad- 
"vantageous;" — without knowing of more than 
feven fail of the line on our fde, and confequently 
having in the intermediate fpace no very great 
proiped: of relief. 

His Lordfhip fays, "that as I did not give 
"him the fmalleft particle of difcretionary 
"power different from holding the pofts he 
"occupied; it would not have been juftifiablc 
"in him, either to abandon by the evacuation 
"of York a confiderably quantity of artillery, 
"the fhips of war, tranfports, provilions, ftores, 
"and hofpitals ; or, by venturing an adiion 
"without the moft manifeft advantage, to run 
"the rifk of precipitating the lofs of them." 
To this, I {hall only obferve, that it will ap- 
pear from the correfpondence, that his Lord- 
fhip's difcretionary powers were unlimited from 
the firft moment of his taking charge of a 
feparate command; and it will I believe be 
admitted, that his Lordfliip acfled in moft 
cafes as if he confidered them as fuch. And 
though I may not condemn his Lordfliip for 
not attacking the Marquis de la Fayette, before 
his junction with Monfieur St. Simon (when 
he had, as I underftand, only two thoufand 

regular 



32 OBSERVATIONS. 

regular continental troops) ; or for not attempt- 
ing to prevent that jundion; or for not attack- 
ing them when joined; and endeavouring to 
efcape with part of his army to the fouthward, 
between the 29th of Auguft and the i6th of 
September; — as fuch meafures muft have alto- 
gether depended on his Lordfliip's own feel- 
ings, of which no man can fpeak but himfelf. 
Yet it was natural to fuppofe, that the General 
officer, who had but a few months before (at 
the rifk of engaging his Commander in Chief 
in operations, for which he could not be pre- 
pared; and perhaps at the rifk of lofing a 
valuable province under his immediate pro- 
tedion) decided upon a move with part of his 
army into Virginia, ^' for urgent reafoiis^' 
^^ being influenced thereto (he fays) by the fub- 
flance of a difpatch, (he heard was coming to 
him,) without waiting to receive it, though it 
might have been expelled in a few hours; — I 
fay, it was natural to fuppofe, that the General 
officer who had done this, might have judged it 
equally expedient to decide upon retiring back 
again without waiting to receive fpecial difcre- 
tionary powers from his Commander in Chief, 
if he judged there was a great probability of his 

lofing 



OBSERVATIONS. 33 

lofing every thing fhould he remain. Which, 
if it was fo, I am bold to fay, was a reafon far 
more urgent for his endeavouring to fave part 
of his army by any means in his power, than 
any his Lordfhip could fuppofe he had for quit- 
ting the Carolinas at the time he marched into 
Virginia. 

There remains little more neceffary in reply 
to Lord Cornwallis's introduftion, but to ob- 
ferve, that the army and its followers in Virginia 
had been fo increafed in confequence of his Lord- 
ship's move into that province; that it would 
have been impracticable to withdraw them by 
water (as his Lordfliip is pleafed to fuggeft) for 
want of tranfports, even if the American minifter 
had not diredied me to fupport his Lordfhip 
there, and a preffing contingency had required 
it. And I muft take the liberty to fay, that the 
fending his Lordfhip's corps back to South Caro- 
lina by land, would have been a moft abfurd 
idea for me to adopt after the opinions I had 
given of the risfks it run in its former march by 
that route. 

I fliall now beg leave to conclude with an 
opinion, which I prefume is deducible from the 
foregoing (I truft candid) review of circum- 

ftances. 



34 



OBSERVATIONS. 



ftances. Which is, that Lord Cornwallis's con- 
duft and opinions, if they were not the imme- 
diate caufes, may be adjudged to have at leaft 
contributed to bring on the fatal cataftrophe 
which terminated the unfortunate campaign of 
1781. 



H. CLINTON. 



Harley-Street, 
April 3, 1783. 



APPENDIX. 



PART I. 



CONTAINING 



EXTRACT 



FROM THE 



Correfpondence with Earl Cornwallis, refpeiling the Force 
left with his Lordfhip, and the Inftru6lions given him 
upon his taking the Command of the Southern Diftriil. 



Extra5i. — From Sir Henry Clinton to Earl Cornwallis, 
dated Charles-town, May 17, 1780. 

1 OUR Lordfhip has already with you, [in the 
field) two thoufand five hundred and forty two rank 
and file; but, if you have the ieafl reafon to fuppofe 
the enemy likely to be in great number, you fhall be 
reinforced with the forty-fecond, the light infantry, 
and any other corps you choofe. As your move is 
important, it muft not be ftinted. — I will give you 
all you wifh of every fort. — Let me but know what 

it 



2 Correfpondence reJpeBing the 

it is as foon as poffible. In the mean time, I fhall 
order the light infantry and forty-fecond regiment to 
prepare; depending upon it, that as foon as you can 
fpare them, you will return them to me; for all ope- 
rations to the Northward muft be cramped without 
them. If you choofe to keep the feventeenth dra- 
goons, you are heartily welcome to them during this 
move. 



Copy. — Froyn Karl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton^ 
dated Camp at Manigolds, May i8, 1780. 

S I R, 

LIEUTENANT Colonel Webfter arrived this 
morning, and informed me of the meflage which you 
fent by him, relative to reinforcing the corps under 
my command. The fervice on which I am going, is 
undoubtedly of the moft important nature, and in 
my opinion, without fome fuccefs in the back coun- 
try, our fuccefs at Charles-town would but little 
promote the real interefts of Great-Britain. But at 
the fame time it is as neceffary that your fituation to 
the Northward fhould be refpedable. It would be 
with great regret that I fhould fee you leave behind 
any part of that corps deflined for your firft em- 
barkation. The garrifon, then, of Charles-town 
and Sullivan's-ifland, will confift of three Britifh 
regiments, — two of them very weak, — and two 

Heflian, 



Force left with Earl Cornwallis. 3 

HefTian, and one weak Provincial, the latter of 
which, perhaps, will be fent to Fort Moultrie. 
This garrifon will have the charge of two thoufand 
five hundred prifoners. The corps at prefent under 
my command is, in my opinion, fully equal to 
the purpofe intended by it, unlefs fome confider- 
able reinforcement of Continentals fliould come 
from the Northward. I have not yet heard that 
fad: afcertained, by any intelligence which has come 
to my knowledge. If troops are on their march, 
and not very near, your embarkation given out 
publicly for the Chefapeak will probably flop 
them. I think, therefore. Sir, if you pleafe, with 
proper deference and fubmiffion to your opinion, 
that the bufinefs may be fettled in the following 
manner: If no certain intelligence arrives before 
you are ready to fail, of a confiderable corps of 
the Continental troops being far advanced, that 
the difpofition fhould then remain the fame which 
you mentioned when I had the honour of feeing 
you. If such intelligence fhould arrive before that 
time, I fhould then wifh to be joined by five or fix 
hundred men, either Britifii or Hefilan, and fubmit 
it to your judgment on the fpot, from whence they 
could be beft fupplied. I think, at all events. 
Lieutenant-colonel Balfour's expedition fiiould go 
on immediately, as the feafon of the year makes 
it necefl'ary that he fhould lofe no time. The more 
F pains 



4 Correjpondence reJpeEling the 

pains that can be taken to eftablifh the belief of 
your i^oing to Virginia, the greater will be the 
probability of flopping their reinforcement. 

I am, &c. 

(Signed) CORNWALLIS. 



ExtraB. — From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton^ 
dated Camp at Manigolds, May 19, 1780. 

S I R, 
I RECEIVED, very early this morning, the 
favour of your letter by Lieutenant-colonel Innes, 
to which the letter I had the honour of fending to 
you yefterday, by Major Danfey, will ferve as an 
anfwer. I can only add, that I have received no 
intelligence whatever of reinforcements coming to 
the enemy from the Northward, or of their being 
in force in this province. 



Extract. 



Force left with Earl Cornwallis. 5 

Extras. — From Sir Henry Clinton to Earl Cornwallis, 
dated Charles-town, May 20, 1780. 

THE light infantry and forty-fecond 



regiment march this evening to Goofe-creek, and 
thence to Monk's corner, where they will remain 
at your Lordfhip's call, in readinefs either to join 
you, or to return and embark, as fhall have become 
expedient. 



Extract. — From Sir Henry Clinton tj Earl Cornwallis, 
dated Charles-town, May 20, 1780. 

EVERY jealoufy has been and will be given on 
my part, as a blind to our real intentions. 

And now, my Lord, having entered into every 
thing that occurs to me as necefTary to be thought 
on at prefent, I heartily wifh fuccefs to your im- 
portant move. I cannot doubt your having it, for 
as much as I agree with you, that fuccefs at Charles- 
town, unlefs followed in the back country, will be of 
little avail; fo much, I am perfuaded, that the taking 
that place in the advantageous manner we have done 
it, infures the redudion of this and the next province, 
if the temper of our friends in thofe diftrids is fuch 
as it has always been reprefented to us. 

ExtraFl. 



6 Correjpondence refpe5fing the 

Extra5l. — From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton, 
dated Camp at Lenews, Eaji Side of Santee, May 
21, 1780. 

THE march of the light infantry and forty-fecond 
to Monk's-corner will be of ufe to thofe corps, and 
will help to fpread alarm through the country; but 
from what I hear, I do not believe that there can be 
any neceffity for detaining any part of the firfl em- 
barkation a moment after the fhips are ready for 
them. 



ExtraB. — Sir Henry Clinton to Earl Cornwallis^ dated 
Charles-Town, June i, 1780. 

WE fhall probably leave this in a day or two. — 
I dare not be fo fanguine as to fuppofe that your 
bufinefs will be compleated in time for us to meet 
before I fail; and as our communication will become 
precarious, I think it neceffary to give your Lordihip 
outlines of my intentions, where your Lordfhip is 
likely to bear a part. Your Lordfhip knows it was 
part of my plan to have gone into Chefapeak-bay; 
but I am apprehenfive the information which the 
Admiral and I received, may make it neceffary for 
him to affemble his fleet at New-York, — in which 

cafe 



Force left with Lord Cornwallis. 7 

cafe I fhall go there likewife. When your Lordfhip 
has finifhed your campaign, you will be better able 
to judge what is neceflary to be done to fecure South 
and recover North Carolina. Perhaps it may be 
neceflary to fend the gallies and fome troops into 
Cape Fear, to awe the lower counties, by far the 
mofl hoftile of that province, and to prevent the 
conveyance of fuccours by inland navigation, the 
only communication that will probably remain with 
the northern parts of North Carolina and Virginia. 
Should your Lordfliip fo far fucceed in both provinces, 
as to be fatisfied they are fafe from any attack during 
the approaching feafon, after leaving a fufiicient force 
in garrifon, and fuch other pofts as you think necef- 
fary, and fuch troops by way of moving corps as you 
fhall think fufiicient, added to fuch provincial and 
militia corps as you fhall judge proper to raise; I 
fhould wifh you to afllfl: in operations which will cer- 
tainly be carried on in the Chefapeak, as foon as we 
are relieved from our apprehenfion of a fuperior fleet, 
and the feafon will admit of it in that climate. This 
may happen, perhaps, about September, or, if not, 
early in Odober. 1 am clear this fhould not be at- 
tempted without a great naval force; — I am not fo 
clear there fliould be a great land force. I therefore 
propofe that your Lordfhip, with what you can fpare 
at the time from your important poft, {which is a/ways 
to be confidered as the principal objeB) may meet the 
Admiral, who will bring with him fuch additional 

force 



8 Correfpondence refpe^fing the 

force as I can fpare into the Chefapeak. I fhould 
recommend in the first place, that one or two armed 
fhips, vigilants, fhould be prepared, and that as many 
gallies as can go to fea may likewise accompany you 
from hence. Our firft object will probably be the 
taking poll at Norfolk or Suffolk, or near the Hamp- 
ton Road, and then proceeding up the Chefapeak to 
Baltimore. I fhall not prefume to fay any thing by 
way of inftrudion to your Lordfhip, except in articles 
where you wiili it; and if you will do me the honour 
to inform me of your wifhes by the first fafe oppor- 
tunity, I fhall pay every attention to them upon that 
fubjeft, or any other. The Admiral afTures me that 
there will be fhips enough left for convoy, ready by 
the 24th of June. Your Lordfhip will be the beft 
judge what ufe can be made of them. Correfpondence 
may, and I hope will, be kept up by the cruizers, 
which the Admiral and ofiicer ftationed here will 
have, but if you find it neceffary, you will be fo good 
to prefs or hire armed veffels. 



Extratl. — From InftruEiions to Lieutenant-General Earl 
Cornwallis, dated Head-Barters, Charles-town, June 
I, 1780. 

UPON my departure from hence, you will be 
pleafed to take command of the troops mentioned in 

the 



Force left with Earl Cornwallis. 9 

the inclofed return, and of all other troops now here, 
or that may arrive in my abfence. Your Lordfhip 
will make fuch change in the pofition of them, as you 
may judge moft conducive to his Majefty's fervice, 
for the defence of this important poft, and its depen- 
dencies. At the fame time, it is by no means my 
intention to prevent your ading offenfively, in cafe 
an opportunity fhould offer, confiftent with \\vtjecu- 
rity of this place ^ which is always to be regarded as a 
primary objetl. 

All provifion and military ftores of any denomi- 
nation now here, or which may hereafter arrive, are 
fubmitted to your Lordfhip's orders, together with 
every power you may find neceffary to enforce in my 
abfence, for the promotion of the King's fervice. 



Extras. — From Sir Henry Clinton to Earl Cornwallis^ 
dated Romulus, June 8, 1780. 

MY LORD, 

1 HAVE the honour to tranfmit to your Lord- 
fhip the names of feveral inhabitants of the town, 
who figned an addrefs, the copy of which Brigadier- 
general Paterfon will fend you. Inclofed is a copy 
of the anfwer the Admiral propofed fending until I 
reprefented to him that the fubfcribers were unknown 

to 



lo Correjpondence^ ^c. 

to us as to their feveral characters; that the fuperin- 
tendant was not with us to be confulted; that the 
permitting exportation amounted to opening the 
port, which we were not empowered to do; and that 
I would, reludantly, at the hour of my departure, 
change, within your Lordfliip's command, the con- 
ditions of fo many perfons, without knowing their 
merits. I alfo confidered that property, in the late 
troubles, might have been very unwarrantably ac- 
quired, and that exportation realized it to the prefent 
poflefTors. 

In confequence, the inclofed anfwer was fubftltuted, 
bettering their prefent condition, and opening the 
profped; of trade, and the reftoration of civil govern- 
ment. 

To this, my Lord, I have to add, in the Admiral's 
and my own name, that you are empowered ftill far- 
ther to indulge men who exhibit proofs of a fmcere 
return to their duty, by admitting them to any greater 
degree of liberty, to the fulleft enjoyment of their 
property, and to the permiilion, in particular cafes, 
of fhipping it, when the officer commanding the 
King's fhlps ffiall furnifh convoy; all which advan- 
tages I will ratify either as Commiffioner or Com- 
mander in-chief. 



PART II. 



PART II. 



CONTAINING 

Copies and Extradts from Letters, relative to the entire Sub- 
miflion of South Carolina, and the progreflive Operations 
propofed in Confequence, for the Reduction of North 
Carolina* 



Extract . — From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton, 
dated Charles-town, June 30, 1780. 



Ti 



HE fubmiffion of General Williamfon at 
Ninety-Six, whofe capitulation I inclofe with Captain 
Paris's letter; and the difperfion of a party of rebels, 
who had aflembled at an Iron-work, on the north weft 
border of the province, by a detachment of dragoons 
and militia, from Lieutenant-colonel TurnbuU, put 
an end to all reiiftance in South Carolina. 



FROM 



1 1 Copies and Extracts relative to the 



FROM THE SAME. 

THE force of the enemy in North Carolina con- 
fifts of about one hundred militia at Crofs-Creek, 
under General Cafwell; four or five hundred militia, 
at or near Salifbury, under General Rutherford; and 
three hundred Virginians in that neighbourhood, 
under one Porterfield. 

returned with information that he faw two 

thoufand Maryland and Delaware troops at Hillf- 
borough under Major-general De Calbe. Other 
accounts correfponded with his. But I have fince 
heard that the greateft part of the laft have returned 
to Virginia. 

After having thus fully ftated the prefent fituation 
of the two Carolinas, I ihall now take the liberty of 
giving my opinion, with refpe(5l to the pracflicability 
and the probable efFed; of farther operations in this 
quarter, and my own intentions, if not otherwife 
direded by your Excellency. I think, that with the 
force at prefent under my command (except there 
fhould be a confiderable foreign interference) I can 
leave South Carolina in fecurity, and march about the 
beginning of September, with a body of troops, into 
the back part of North Carolina, with the greateft 
probability of reducing that province to its duty. 
And if this be accompliftied, I am of opinion, that 
(befides the advantage of poffefting fo valuable a pro- 
vince) 



Entire Submijfion of Carolina. 13 

vince) it would prove an effeftual barrier for South 
Carolina and Georgia; and could be kept, with the 
affiftance of our friends there, by as few troops as 
would be wanted on the borders of this province, if 
North Carolina fhould remain in the hands of our 
enemies. Confequently, if your Excellency fhould 
continue to think it expedient to employ part of the 
troops at prefent in this province, in operations in 
the Chefapeak, there will be as many to fpare, as if we 
did not poffefs North Carolina. If I am not honoured 
with different diredions from your Excellency before 
that time, I fhall take my meafures for beginning the 
execution of the above plan about the latter end of 
Auguft, or beginning of September, and fhall apply 
to the officer commanding his Majefly's fhips for 
fome co-operation, by Cape Fear, which at prefent 
would be burthenfome to the navy, and not of much 
importance to the fervice. 



ExtraB. — From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton^ 
dated Charles-town^ July 14, 1780. 

I HAVE the fatisfaftion to affure your Excel- 
lency, that the numbers and difpofitionsof our militia, 
equal my moft fanguine expectations. But ftill I muft 
confefs, that their want of fubordination and confi- 
dence 



1 4 Copies and ExtraBs relative to the 

dence in themfelves, will make a confiderable regular 
force always neceflary for the defence of the province, 
until North Carolina is perfectly reduced. It will be 
needlefs to attempt to take any confiderable number 
of the South Carolina militia with us, when we ad- 
vance. They can only be looked upon as light troops, 
and we fhall find friends enough in the next province 
of the fame quality; and we muft not undertake to 
fupply too many ufelefs mouths. 



ExtraB. — From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton^ 
dated Charles-town, Aug. 6, 1780. 

S I R, 

I RECEIVED by Major England, your letters 
of the 14th and 15th of July; and am very glad to 
find by the latter, that you do not place much de- 
pendance on receiving troops from hence. 

My letter of the 14th, by the Halifax, will have 
convinced you of the impoffibility of weakening the 
force in this province; and every thing which has 
happened fince that time, tends more ftrongly to 
confirm it. The general fiiate of things in the two 
provinces of North and South Carolina, is not very 
materially altered fince my letters of the 14th and 1 5th 
of laft month were written. Frequent fkirmifhes, with 

various 



Entire Submiffion of Carolina. 1 5 

various fuccefs, have happened in the country between 
the Catawba-river and Broad-river. The militia of 
the diftrift about Tiger and Ennoree rivers, was 
formed by us, under a Colonel Floyd; Colonel Neale, 
the rebel colonel, had fled; but Lieutenant-colonel 
Lifle, who had been paroled to the iflands, exchanged, 
on his arrival in Charles-town, his parole for a cer- 
tificate of his being a good fubjed, returned to the 
country, and carried off the whole battalion to join 
General Sumpter, at Catawba. We have not, how- 
ever, on the whole, loft ground in that part of the 
country. TurnbuU was attacked at Rocky-mount, 
by Sumpter, with about twelve hundred men, militia 
and refugees, from this province, whom he repulfed 
with great lofs. We had on our part, an ofiicer killed, 
and one wounded, and about ten or twelve men killed 
and wounded. Colonel Turnbull's condu(9- was very 
meritorious. The affair of Captain Huck turned out 
of lefs confequence than it appeared at firft; the Cap- 
tain and three men of the legion were killed, and 
feven men of the New-York volunteers taken. 

On the eaftern part of the province, we have been 
more unfortunate. By this time the reports induftri- 
oufly propagated in this province, of a large army 
coming from the northward, had very much intimi- 
dated our friends, encouraged our enemies, and 
determined the wavering againft us : to which 
our not advancing and afting offenfively llkewife 
contributed. 

The 



1 6 Copies and Extracts relative to the 

The whole country between Pedee and Santee has 
ever fince been In an abfolute ftate of rebellion ; every 
friend of Government has been carried ofT, and his 
plantation deftroyed; and detachments of the enemy 
have appeared on the Santee, and threatened our 
ftores and convoys on that river. I have not heard 
that they have as yet made any attempt on them; 
and I hope, by this time, the fteps I have taken will 
fecure them. This unfortunate bufinefs, if it fhould 
have no worfe confequences, will fhake the confidence 
of our friends in this province, and make our fituation 
very uneafy until we can advance. The wheat har- 
veft in North Carolina is now over, but the weather 
is ftill exceffively hot, and notwithftanding our utmoft 
exertions, a great part of the rum, fait, clothing, and 
neceflaries for the foldiers, and the arms for the Pro- 
vincials and ammunition for the troops, are not far 
advanced on their way to Camden. However, if no 
material interruption happens, this bufinefs will be 
nearly accomplifibed in a fortnight or three weeks. It 
may be doubted by fome, whether the invasion of 
North Carolina may be a prudent meafure; but I am 
convinced it is a necefl!ary one, and that if we do not 
attack that province, we mufl: give up both South 
Carolina and Georgia, and retire within the walls of 
Charles-town. Our aflurances of attachment from 
our poor diflirefl'ed friends in North Carolina are as 
fl:rong as ever, and the patience and fortitude with 
which thofe unhappy people bear the mofi: oppreflive 

and 



Entire Subnvffion of Carolina. 1 7 

and cruel tyranny, that ever was exercifed over any 
country, deferve our greateft admiration. The High- 
landers have offered to form a regiment as foon as 
we enter the country, and have defired that Governor 
Martin may be their chief. I have confented with 
the rank of Lieutenant-colonel commandant; the 
men they affure us are already engaged. 

An early diverfion in my favour in Chefapeak Bay, 
will be of the greateft and moft important advantage 
to my operations. I moft earneftly hope that the 
admiral will be able to fpare a convoy for that pur- 
pofe. 

I propofe taking the following corps with me into 
North Carolina, twenty-third, thirty-third, fixty- 
third, feventy-firft, volunteers of Ireland, Hamil- 
ton's, Harrifon's, new-raifed, legion cavalry, and in- 
fantry. North Carolina refugees. I intend to leave 
on the frontiers, from Pedee to Waxhaw (to awe the 
difaffeded, who, I am forry to fay, are ftill very nu- 
merous in that country, and to prevent any infurrec- 
tion in our rear) the New York volunteers, and 
Brown's corps, and fome of the militia of the Cam- 
den diftrid:, who are commanded by Colonel Rugely, 
a very adlive and fpirjted man. I fhall place Fergu- 
fon's corps and fome rnilitia of the Ninety-fix diftrid;, 
which Colonel Balfour affures me are got into very 
tolerable order, owing to the great affiduity of Fer- 
gufon, on the borders of Tryon county, with direc- 
tions for him to advance with a part of them into the 

mountains, 



1 8 Copies and ExtraRs i^c. 

mountains, and fecure the left of our march. Lieu- 
tenant-colonel Cruger, who commands at Ninety-fix, 
will have his own corps, Innes's and the remainder 
of the militia of that diftrid, to preferve that fron- 
tier, which requires great attention, and where there 
are many difaffeded, and many conftantly in arms. 
Allen's corps, and for a time, the Florida rangers, 
are ftationed at Augufta, under the command of 
Lieutenant-colonel Allen. 

I have already explained the meafures I 

had taken for eftablifhing a government, and fecuring 
this country by means of a militia. I have likewife 
paid as much attention as poflible to the civil and 
commercial matters. The principal objeds of my 
attention will appear in the five proclamations, which 
I have ifllied, and which I have the honour of in- 
clofing to your Excellency. 

1 have the honour, &:c. 

(Signed) CORNWALLIS. 



PAT in 



PART III. 

CONTAINING 

EXTRACTS 

FROM THE 

Correfpondence with Earl Cornwallis, refpediing the Events 
which occurred between the battle of Camden and Major 
Fergufon's Defeat. 



Extract. — From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton, 
dated Camden, Auguft 23, 1780. 



I 



HAVE not yet heard any accounts from North 
Carolina; but I hope that our friends will immedi- 
ately take arms, as I have directed them to do. The 
diveriion in the Chefapeak will be of the utmoft im- 
portance. The troops here have gained reputation, 
but they have loft numbers; and there can be no 
doubt but the enemy will ufe every effort to repel an 
attack, which, if fuccefsful, muft end in their lofing 
all the Southern Colonies. 

I have likewife to obferve, that if a general ex- 
change fhould take place, the enemy's prifoners 
ihould, in my opinion, be delivered at the fame 
place as ours are fent to. 

H It 



20 ExtraBs reJpeBing the Events which occurred 

It is difficult to form a plan of operations, which 
muft depend fo much on circumftances. But it at 
prefent appears to me that I fhould endeavour to get 
as foon as polTible to Hillfborough, and there affemble 
and try to arrange the friends who are inclined to arm 
in our favour; and endeavour to form a very large 
macrazine for the winter, of flour and meal from the 
country: and of rum, fait, &c. from Crofs-creek, which 
I underfl:and to be about eighty miles carriage. But 
all this will depend on the operation which your Ex- 
cellency may think proper to purfue in the Chefapeak, 
which appears to me next to the fecurity of New-York, 
to be one of the moft important objedts of the war. I 
can only repeat what I have often had the honour of 
faying to you, that wherever you may think my pre- 
fence can be moft conducive to the good of his Ma- 
jefty's fervice, thither I am at all times ready and 
willing to go. 



ExtraB. — Fro^n Earl Cornwallis to Lord George 
Germain^ dated Camden^ Auguft 20, 1780. 

I N the diftrid; of ninety-fix, by flir the moft popu- 
lous and powerful of the province. Lieutenant-colonel 
Balfour by his great attention and diligence, and by 
the adive aftlftance of Major Fergufon, who was ap- 
pointed Infped;or-general of militia of this province 
by Sir Henry Clinton, had formed {^v^w battalions 
of militia, confifting of above four thoufand men, 

and 



previous to Major Fergufon s Defeat. i\ 

and entirely compofed of perfons well-aife6ted to the 
Britifh Government; which were fo regulated that 
they could with eafe furnifh fifteen hundred men at a 
fhort notice, for the defence of the frontier, or any 
other home fervice. But I muft take this opportunity 
of obferving, that this militia can be of little ufe for 
diftant operations, as they will not ftir without a horfe, 
and on that account your Lordfhip will eafily con- 
ceive the impoffibility of keeping a number of them 
together without deftroying the country. 



Extract. — From Earl Cornwallis to Lord George 
Germain y dated Camden, Augufi 21, 1780. 

ON the morning of the 17th I difpatched proper 
people into North-Carolina, with directions to our 
friends there to take arms and afTemble immediately; 
and to feize the mofl violent people and all military 
ftores and magazines belonging to the rebels, and to 
intercept all ftragglers from the routed army. And I 
have promifed to march without lofs of time to their 
fupport. Some neceflary fupplies for the army are 
now on their way from Charles-town; and I hope that 
their arrival will enable me to move in a few days. 



Extract. — Erom Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton, 
dated Camden, Augujl 29, 1780. 

I HOPE to be able to move my firfl divifion in 
eight or nine days into North Carolina by Charlotte- 
town 



22 Extratls rejpetling the Events which occurred 

town and Salifbury ; the fecond will follow in about ten 
days after, with convalefcents and ftores. I fhall leave 
the New York volunteers and Innes's corps to take 
care of this place until the fick and ftores can be re- 
moved. Our ficknefs at prefent is rather at a ftand, the 
recoveries nearly keeping pace with the falling down. 
I dread the convalefcents not being able to march ; but 
it is very tempting to try it, as a move of forty or 
fifty miles would put us into a much better climate. 

Fergufon is to move into Tryon County with fome 
militia, whom he fays he is fure he can depend upon for 
doing their duty and fighting well; but I am Jorry to Jay 
that his own experience as well as that of every other officer 
is againjl him. 

I moft fincerely hope that nothing can happen to 
prevent your Excellency's intended diverfion in the 
Chefapeak. If unfortunately any unforefeen caufe 
ftiould make it impoffible, I ftiould hope that you 
will fee the abfolute neceffity of adding fome force to 
the Carolinas. 



Extratl. — From Sir Henry Clinton to Earl Cornwallis^ 
dated New-York^ September 20, 1780. 

I HAVE always thought operation in the Chefa- 
peak of the greateft importance, and have often men- 
tioned to Admiral Arbuthnot the neceffity of making 
a diverfion in your Lordftiip's favour in that quarter; 

but 



previous to Major Fergufons Defeat. 23 

but have not been able till now to obtain a convoy 
for this purpofe. 

Your LordHiip will receive inclofed a fketch of the 
inftrudions I intend to give to Major-general Leflie, 
who will command the expedition; which will give a 
general idea of the defign of the move. But if your 
Lordfhip fhould wifh any particular co-operation 
from that armament, General Leflie will of courfe 
confider himfelf under your Lordfhip's orders, and 
pay every obedience thereto. 

I have the honour to inclofe the copy of a letter I 
wrote to Lord George Germain, and of his Lordfhip's 
anfwer, refpefting the option Lord Rawdon had made 
in favour of his provincial rank. And I am happy in 
having it in my power to communicate to his Lordfhip 
the King's pleafure that he fhould ftill retain his rank 
of Lieutenant-colonel in the line, which I beg leave to 
take this opportunity of doing through yourLordfliip. 



INCLOSURES. 

Copy. — Sir Henry Clinton to Lord George Germain^ 
dated Charles-Town^ June 2-, 1780. 

MY LORD, 
LORD Rawdon, in confequence of his Majefty's 
order fignified to me by your Lordfhip, has refigned 
his commiiTion of Lieutenant-colonel in the army, 
and made choice of that of Colonel of Provincials. 

In 



24 Extras 5 rejpe^ling the Events which occurred 

In juftice to his Lordfhip, as well as to the King's 
fervice, I muft obferve that the expences Lord Raw- 
don has been at, and the diftinguifhed zeal he has 
fhewn in forming the corps under his command, 
render him worthy of much commendation, and make 
the alternative put to him a very mortifying one; 
whilft on the other hand, the volunteers of Ireland, 
bereft of a chief of his Lordfhip's rank in life, and 
attention to the fervice, would probably have loft 
much in their ftrength and discipline. 

Perhaps his Majefty may be gracioufly pleafed to 
confider his Lordfhip in the light of an officer, who, 
for the good of his fervice and the prefervation of a 
ferviceable corps, to which he felt a kind of parental 
attachment, has offered to relinquifti rank effential to 
his future hopes as a foldier; and may, in confequence, 
reftore to him his brevet of Lieutenant-colonel in the 
army. 

I have the honour, &c. 

H. CLINTON. 

ExtraB. — From Lord G. Germain to Sir H. Clinton^ 
dated Whitehall^ July 5, 1780. 

You will find by my feparate letter of yefterday, 
that it is not his Majefty's intention to confine you to 
fo ftrid: an obfervance of the general rule of no officers 
being permitted to hold commiffions in a regular and 
provincial corps at the fame time, as to prevent you 

from 



previous to Major Fergufon s Defeat. 25 

from deviating from it in extraordinary cafes; and 
that your having done fo in favour of Majors Simcoe 
and Tarleton, was approved by his Majefty. I alfo 
informed you, that the general rule was not meant to 
affed; the brevet rank of officers. It is therefore a great 
concern to me to find Lord Rawdon had refigned his 
rank of Lieutenant-colonel in the army, when he made 
his option of Colonel of the Provincials. The King 
is fully fensible of his Lordfhip's merit, and of the 
great advantage which the corps under his command 
has derived from his Lordfhip's attention to it; and 
is well pleafed his Lordfhip has chofen to continue 
at the head of it. But his Majefty commands me to 
fignify to you his royal pleafure, that you do imme- 
diately acquaint his Lordfhip, that he ftill retains his 
rank of Lieutenant-colonel in the army. 

InJiruBions to the Hon. Major-general Leflie^ dated 
Head-Barters^ New-Tork^ 05iober to, 1780. 

S I R, 

YOU will be pleafed to proceed with the troops em- 
barked under your command to Chefapeak Bay; and 
upon your arrival at that place, you will purfue fuch 
meafures as you ftiall judge moft likely to anfwer the 
purpofe of this expedition; the principal objed of 
which is to make adiverfion in favour of Lieutenant- 
general Earl Cornwallis, who by the time you arrive 
there will probably be afting in the back parts of 
North Carolina. The information you Ihall procure 

on 



l6 Extra^s refpetling the Events which occurred 

on the fpot after your arrival at your deftined port, 
will point out to you the propereft method of accom- 
plifhing this. But from that which I have received 
here, I fhould judge it beft to proceed up James River 
as high as poffible, in order to feize or deftroy any 
magazines the enemy may have at Peterfburg, Rich- 
mond, or any of the places adjacent; and finally, to 
eftablifh a poft on Elizabeth River. But this, as well 
as the direction of every other operation, is fubmitted 
to Earl Cornwallis, with whom you are as foon as 
poffible to communicate, and afterwards to follow all 
fuch orders and diredions you fhall from time to 
time receive from his Lordfhip. 

H. CLINTON. 

ExtraBy — Sir Henry Clinton to Earl Cornwallis^ dated 
New-York^ November 6, 1780. 

YOUR Lordfhip can judge of the ftrength of this 
part of the army, by that under your own orders ; and 
will agree with me that it is fcarcely poffible for me 
to detach a greater force from it, or of our being able 
to make fuch efforts in Chefapeak Bay, as are now 
almoft become neceffary. However, when I know 
your Lordffiip's fuccefs in North Carolina, and your 
determination refpeding a poll on Elizabeth River, 
I will then confider what additional force I can fpare. 
If your Lordffiip determines to withdraw that poft, 
I fhall in that case think your prefent force, including 
General Leflie's, quite fufficient. 

Bv 



previous to Major Ferguson s Defeat. 27 

By the copy of inftrud:ions laft fent, and thofe now 
forwarded to General Leilie, your Lordfhip will per- 
ceive I mean that you fhould take the command of 
the whole. If my wifhes are fulfilled, they are, that 
you may ejlabli/h a pofi at Hilljhorough^ feed it from 
Crofs Creek, and be able to keep that of For tf mouth. A 
few troops will do it, and carry on defultory expedi- 
tions in Chefapeak, //// more f olid operations can take 
place; — of which I fear there is no profped:, without 
we are confiderably reinforced. The moment I know 
your Lordfhip's determination to keep a poll at Portf- 
mouth, I will, as I faid before, confider what addi- 
tional force I can fpare. Once ajfured of our remaining 
fuperior at fea, I might poflibly fend two thoufand 
more for this winter's operations. 

Operations in Chefapeak are but of two forts. 
Solid operation with a fighting army, to call forth 
our friends and fupport them; or a poft, fuch as 
Portfmoutli, carrying on defultory expeditions; flop- 
ping up in a great meafure the Chefapeak; and by 
commanding James River, prevent the enemy from 
forming any confiderable depots upon it, or moving in 
any force to the fouthward of it. Such, my Lord, are 
the advantages I exped from a ftation at Portfmouth; 
and I wifh it may appear to you in the fame light. 

Second Inftru^ions to the Hon. Major-general Leflie, 
dated New-York, November 2, 1780. 

S I R, 
HAVING already put you under the orders of 
I Lord 



28 ExtraEls refpeEling the Events which occurred 

Lord Cornwallis, who muft of courfe be the beft judge 
of operations to the fouthward, it may be needlefs to 
fay any thing more. But left you fhould not receive 
any orders from his Lordftiip, or obtain certain intel- 
ligence relative to him ; or have reafon to fuppofe you 
can better affift his operations by a diverfion made 
nearer him; I think it neceffary to give you fome 
hints refpeding Cape Fear River, and how far the act- 
ing upon that river may operate. Should Lord Corn- 
wallis have pafTedtheYadkin, and be advanced towards 
Hillfborough, I think you cannot a6l anywhere fo well 
as on James River, approaching fometimes towards the 
Roanoke, but not pafting that river without orders 
from Lord Cornwallis. If you have any reafon to 
believe that his Lordftiip meets with oppofition at his 
paftage of the Yadkin, I think a move on Cape Fear 
River will operate effectually. I have had much con- 
verfation with General O'Hara on this fubjeft. I have 
given him every information refpefting that move; 
and I truft after confulting him you will ad in the 
beft manner poflible to fulfill the objed: of all your 
inftrudions — a diverfion in favour of Lord Cornwallis. 
That you may be the better judge of his plan, I fend 
you copies of such of his letters, which give any hints 
towards it. 

You will of courfe cautioufly avoid inrolling any 
of the militia of Princefs Anne or elfewhere, without 
you determine to eftablifli a poft. Thofe, however, 
who voluntarily join you muft be taken care of. 

H. CLINTON. 
Extratl. 



previous to Major FerguJ'on s Defeat. 29 

ExtraB. — From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton^ 
dated Camp at Waxhaw^ September 11., 1780. 

I F nothing material happens to obftrud my plan 
of operations, I mean, as foon as Lieutenant-colonel 
Tarleton can be removed, to proceed with the twenty- 
third, thirty-third, volunteers of Ireland, and Legion, 
to Charlotte-town, and leave the feventy-firft here 
until the fick can be brought on to us. I then mean 
to make fome redoubts and eftablifh a fixed pofl at 
that place, and give the command of it to Major 
Wimys, whofe regiment is fo totally demolifhed by 
ficknefs, that it will not be fit for aftual fervice for 
fome months. To that place I fhall bring up all the 
fick from Camden, who have any chance of being 
ferviceable before Chriftmas, and truft to opportu- 
nities for their joining the army. 

The poft at Charlotte-town will be a great fecurity 
to all this frontier of South- Carolina, which, even 
if we were pofTefTed of the greateft part of North- 
Carolina, would be liable to be infefted by parties, 
who have retired with their effefts over the moun- 
tains, and mean to take every opportunity of carry- 
ing on a predatory war, and it will, I hope, prevent 
infurreftions in this country, which is very difaffe(5ted. 
I then think of moving on my principal force to Sa- 
lifbury, which will open this country fufficiently for 
us to fee what afiiftance we may really exped: from 
our friends in North-Carolina; and will give us a 

free 



30 ExtraBs reJpeEling the Events^ ^c. 

free communication with the Highlanders, on whom 
my greateft dependance is placed. 



ExlraR. — Fro7n Earl Cornwallis to Lord George Ger- 
mainy dated Camp at PFaxhaw, September 19, 1780. 

MY LORD, 

I HAD the honour to inform your Lordfhip in 
my letter of the 21ft of Auguft, that I had difpatch- 
ed proper people into North-Carolina to exhort our 
friends in that province to take arms, to feize mili- 
tary ftores, and magazines of the enemy, and to in- 
tercept all ftragglers of the routed army. 

Some parties of our friends, who had embodied 
themfelves near the Pedee, difarmed feveral of the 
enemy's ftragglers. But the leading perfons of the 
Loyalifts were fo undecided in their councils, that 
they loft the critical time of availing themfelves of 
our fuccefs; and even fuftered General Gates to pass 
to Hillft^orough with a guard of fix men only. They 
continue however to give me the ftrongeft afturances 
of fupport, when his Majefty's troops ftiall have pe- 
netrated into the interior parts of the province. The 
patience and fortitude with which they endure the 
moft cruel torments, and fuffer the moft violent op- 
preflions that a country ever laboured under, convince 
me that they are ftncere, at leaft as far as their affec- 
tion, to the caufe of Great Britain. 

PART 



PART IV. 

CONTAINING 

EXTRACTS 

FROM THE 

Correfpondence with Earl Cornwallis, &c. from Major Fer- 
gufon's Misfortune to his Lordihip's fecond Move into 
North CaroHna. 



Extratl. — From Major-general Lejlie to Sir Henry 
Clinton^ dated Portjmouth^ Nov. 7, 1780, eight at 
Night. 



S I R, 



T] 



HIS inflant Lieutenant Gratton, of the fixty- 
fourth, is arrived exprefs from Charles-town, in his 
Majefty's fKip Iris, with a letter from Lord Rawdon, 
Lord Cornwallis being a little indifpofed. 

I inclofe your Excellency a copy of the contents. 
I called on Commodore Gayton, and Brigadier-gene- 
ral Howard, for their opinion how we fhould adl. 
We all agree to go to Cape Fear as foon as poffible. 
Very forry it is neceflary; but my orders from your 

Excel- 



22 Exlra^s of Letters previous to the 

Excellency is to co-operate and adl with his Lordfhip 
to the utmoft of my power. 



Copy. — From Lord Rawdon to Major-general Leflie^ 
dated. Campy near the Indian Lands, West of Cat- 
tawba river. South Carolina, O^. 24, 1780. 

SIR, 
LORD Cornwallis not being fufficiently recovered 
from a fevere fever which lately attacked him to be 
able to write you, his Lordfhip has defired that I 
fhould have the honour of communicating with you 
upon the fubjedl of the prefent fervice. The Com- 
mander in Chief has tranfmitted to Lord Cornwallis 
a copy of the inftrudlions under which you are to a(5t. 
At the time when Peterfburgh was fuggefted as an 
advifeable point for a diverfion, which might co-ope- 
rate with our intended efforts for the reduction of 
North Carolina, it was imagined that the tranquillity 
of South Carolina was afTured ; and the repeated affur- 
ances which were fent to us by the Loyalifts in North 
Carolina, gave us reafon to hope, that their number 
and their zeal would not only facilitate the reftoration 
of his Majefty's government in that province, but 
might alfo fupplya force for more extenfive operations. 
Events unfortunately have not anfwered to thefe flat- 
tering promifes. The appearance of General Gates's 
army unveiled to us a fund of difaffedion in this 

province, 



Second Move into North Carolina. 33 

province, of which we could have formed no idea ; and 
even the difperfion of that force did not extinguifh 
the ferment which the hope of its fupport had raised. 
This hour the majority of the inhabitants of that trad; 
between the Pedee and the Santee are in arms againft 
us; and when we laft heard from Charles-town, they 
were in pofleflion of George-town, from which they 
had diflodged our militia. 

It was hoped that the rifing which was expeded of 
our friends in North Carolina might awe that diftrid 
into quiet; therefore, after giving them a little chaf- 
tifement, by making the feventh regiment take that 
route in its way to the army, Lord Cornwallis ad- 
vanced to Charlotteburg. 

Major Fergufon, with about eight hundred militia 
colleded from the neighbourhood of Ninety-fix, had 
previoufly marched into Tryon county to proted our 
friends, who were fuppofed to be numerous there; and 
it was intended, that he fhould crofs the Cattawba 
river, and endeavour to preferve tranquillity in the 
rear of the army. A numerous army now appeared 
on the frontiers, drawn from Nolachucki, and other 
fettlements beyond the mountains, whofe very names 
had been unknown to us. A body of thefe, joined by 
the inhabitants of the ceded lands in Georgia, made 
a fudden and violent attack upon Augufta. The poft 
was gallantly defended by Lieutenant-colonel Brown, 
till he was relieved by the adivity of Lieutenant-colo- 
nel Cruger: but Major Fergufon, by endeavouring 

to 



34 ExtraBs of Letters previous to the 

to intercept the enemy in their retreat, unfortunately 
gave time for frefh bodies of men to pafs the moun- 
tains, and to unite into a corps far fuperior to that 
which he commanded. They came up with him, and 
after a fharp adion entirely defeated him. Fergufon 
was killed, and all his party either {lain or taken. 

By the enemy's having fecured all the pafles on the 
Cattawba, Lord Cornwallis (who was waiting at Char- 
lotteburg for a convoy of ftores) received but confufed 
accounts of the affair for fome time: but at length the 
truth reached him; and the delay, equally with the 
precautions the enemy had taken to keep their vidory 
from his knowledge, gave Lord Cornwallis great reafon 
to fear for the fafety of Ninety-fix. To fecure that 
diftrid was indifpenfible for the fecurity of the reft of 
the province; and Lord Cornwallis faw no means of 
effefting it, but by pafling the Cattawba river with 
his army; for it was fo weakened by ficknefs, that it 
would not bear detachment. 

After much fatigue on the march, occafioned by 
violent rains, we paffed the river three days ago. We 
then received the firft intelligence, refpeding the dif- 
ferent pofts in this province, which had reached us 
for near three weeks; every exprefs from Camden 
having been waylaid, and fome of them murdered by 
the inhabitants. — Ninety-fix is fafe: the corps which 
defeated Fergufon having, in confequence of our 
movement, croffed the Cattawba, and joined Small- 
wood on the Yadkin. 

In 



Second Move into North Carolina. 3 5 

In our prefent pofition we have received the firft 
intimation of the expedition under your command. 
From the circumftances which 1 have detailed, we fear 
that we are too far afunder to render your co-operation 
very effeftual. No force has prefented itfelf to us, 
whofe operation could have been thought ferious 
againft this army: but then we have little hopes of 
bringing the affair to the iffue of an adlion. The 
enemy are moftly mounted militia, not to be over- 
taken by our infantry, nor to be fafely purfued in 
this ftrong country by our cavalry. Our fear is, that 
inftead of meeting us, they would flip by us into this 
province, were we to proceed far from it, and might 
again ftimulate the difaffeded to ferious infurredion. 
This apprehenfion you will judge. Sir, muft greatly 
circumfcribe our efforts. Indeed, Lord Cornwallis 
cannot hope that he fhall be able to undertake any 
thing upon fuch a fcale, as either to aid you, or to 
benefit from you in our prefent fituation. The Com- 
mander in Chief has fignified to Lord Cornwallis, that 
his Lordfhip is at liberty to give you any direction for 
farther co-operation which may appear to him expedi- 
ent. But his Excellency has complied fo very fully 
and completely with Lord Cornwallis's requeft, by 
fending fo powerful a force to make a diverfion in the 
Chefapeak, that his Lordfhip fears he fhould require 
too much, were he to draw you into the immediate 
fervice of this diftrid. His Lordfhip is likewife deli- 
cate on this point, becaufe he does not know how far, 
K by 



36 Extracts of Letters previous to the 

by drawing you from the Chefapeak, he might inter- 
fere with any other purpofes to v/hich the Commander 
in Chief may have deftined your troops. Under thefe 
circumftances, Lord Cornwallis thinks himfelf obliged 
to leave you at liberty to purfue whatever meafures 
may appear to your judgment beft for his Majefty's 
fervice, and moft confonant with the wifhes of the 
Commander in Chief. No time is fpecified to Lord 
Cornwallis as the limitation of your ftay to the fouth- 
ward. Should your knowledge of Sir Henry Clin- 
ton's defires prompt you to make a trial upon North 
Carolina, Cape Fear river appears to us to be the 
only part where your efforts are at prefent likely to 
be efledlual. A defcent there would be the fureft 
means of joining and arming the friends of govern- 
ment, as well as of co-operating with this army. 

This, therefore, would naturally be the point to 
which Lord Cornwallis would bring you, did he con- 
ceive himfelf at liberty fo abfolutely to difpofe of you. 
It muft be remarked, however, that there are two dif- 
ficulties in this plan; the firfl is, that the country from 
Cape Fear to Crofs-creek (the Highland fettlement) 
produces fo little, it would be requifite in penetrating 
through it to carry your provifions with you; the 
fecond is, that no vessel larger than a frigate can pafs 
thebar of Cape Fear harbour. Whatever you decide. 
Lord Cornwallis defires earneftly to hear from you 
as foon as poffible. 

'Tis uncertain yet what fteps this army (if left to 

itfelf) 



Second Move into North Carolina. 37' 

itfelf) muft purfue; but it will be ready at leaft to ad 
vigorouflyin aid to any plan which you may undertake. 
Lord Cornwallis begs that you will inform the Com- 
mander in Chief of our circumftances, and that you 
will have the goodnefs to mention how highly fenfible 
his Lordfhip is to the very effeftual manner in which 
his Excellency has endeavoured to eafe the operations 
of his army. The meafure muft have been attended 
with the moft favourable confequences, had not acci- 
dents, which no forefight could exped;, fo greatly 
altered the complexion of our affairs in this province. 
Lord Cornwallis defires me to add how much fatis- 
fadion he fhould feel in having your afliftance upon 
this fervice, did it promife more favourably for you. 
But fhould the intentions of the Commander in Chief 
have left you at liberty to make the attempt at Cape 
Fear, the fuccefs which would probably attend that 
effential fervice would be doubly pleafing to Lord 
Cornwallis, from the opportunity it would moft likely 
give him of congratulating you in perfon. Allow me 
to add my hopes that the courfe of the fervice would 
put it in my power to affure you, perfonally, how 
much 

I have the honour to be, &c. 

(Signed) RAWDON. 



Copy 



3 8 Rxtratls of Letters previous to the 

Copy. — From Sir Henry Clinton^ to Major-General 
Lejlie^ dated New-York^ November 12, 1780. 

S I R, 

I have this morning received your difpatches, and 
by that dated the 7th inftant, I obferve your intention 
of quitting the Chefapeak; and at the requifition of 
Earl Cornwallis, made to you in a letter written by 
Lord Rawdon, that you propofe going to Cape Fear 
River with the force under your command. I en- 
tirely approve of your having obeyed Earl Cornwal- 
lis's direftions and defire on this fubjed;, which I hope 
will be attended with every favourable advantage. 

It is not neceflary for me to enter upon the matter 
of your operations in the Chefapeak, as they will now 
ceafe. 

I have the honour, &c. 

(Signed) H. CLINTON. 



ExtraEl. — From Major-General Lejlie to Sir Henry 
Clinton^ on board the Romulus, dated Hampton Road, 
November 19, 1780. 

THE people in general feem forry at our leaving 
this diftrid, and I believe would have been happy to 
have remained quiet at home. It is a plentiful coun- 
try all round our pofts; from my firft hearing of Fer- 

gufon's 



Second Move into North Carolina. 39 

gufon's fate, I inwardly fufpedled what came to pafs; 
therefore I never ifTued any proclamation of my own^ 
nor did I encourage the people to take arms. Many 
blamed me for it, but now they think I adled right. 
I left the works entire, and I ftill hope that you 
will be able to take up this ground; for it certainly 
is the key to the wealth of Virginia and Maryland. 
It is to be lamented we are so weak in fhips of war, 
for there is a fleet of fixty fail expedled hourly from 
the Weft Indies, befides the valuable fliips or craft 
ready to fail from the Chefapeak. 



Copy. — From Lord Rawdon to Sir Henry Clinton, 
camp between Broad River and the Catawba, dated 
O^ober 29, 1780. 

S I R, 
LORD Cornwallis having been fo reduced by a 
fevere fever, as to be ftill unable to write, he has 
defired that I ftiould have the honour of addrefting 
your Excellency in regard to our prefent fituation. 
But few days have paft fince Lord Cornwallis re- 
ceived your Excellency's difpatch of the 20th of 
September. In confequence of it, his Lordfliip 
direded that I fliould immediately fend a letter to 
meet Major-General Leflie in the Chefapeak; giving 
him the fulleft information refpeding our profpeds, 

and 



40 Extracts of Letters previous to the 

and the prefent temper of the country, I have the 
honour to inclofe a copy of that letter. Something 
remains to be faid in addition to it, of a nature which 
Earl Cornwallis judged inexpedient to unveil, ex- 
cepting to your Excellency. 

For fome time after the arrival of his Majefty's 
troops at Camden, repeated meffages were fent to head 
quarters, by the friends of government in North 
Carolina, expreffing their impatience to rife and join 
the King's ftandard. The impoffibility of fubfifting 
that additional force at Camden, and the accounts 
which they themfelves gave of the diftreffing fcarcity 
of provifions in North Carolina, obliged Lord Corn- 
wallis to entreat them to remain quiet, till the new 
crop might enable us to join them. In the mean 
time General Gates's army advanced. We were 
greatly furprifed, and no lefs grieved, that no infor- 
mation whatever of its movements was conveyed to 
us by perfons fo deeply interefted in the event as the 
North Carolina Loyalifts. Upon the i6th of Au- 
guft that army was fo entirely difperfed, that it was 
clear no number of them could for a confiderable 
time be colleded. Orders were therefore difpatched' 
to our friends, ftating that the hour, which they had 
fo long prefled, was arrived; and exhorting them to 
ftand forth immediately, and prevent the re-union of 
the fcattered enemy. Inftant fupport was in that cafe 
promifed them. In the fulleft confidence that this 
event was to take place. Lord Cornwallis ventured to 

prefs 



Second Move into North Carolina. 4 1 

prefs your Excellency for co-operation in the Chefa- 
peak, hoping that the affiftance of the North Caro- 
linians might eventually furnifh a force for yet farther 
efforts. Not a fingle man, however, attempted to 
improve the favourable moment, or obeyed that 
fummons for which they had before been fo impa- 
tient. It was hoped that our approach might get 
the better of their timidity; yet during a long period, 
whilfh we were waiting at Charlotteburgh for our 
ftores and convalefcents, they did not even furnifh 
us with the leafl information refpefting the force col- 
lediing againft us. In fhort. Sir, we may have a 
powerful body of friends in North Carolina, — and 
indeed we have caufe to be convinced, that many of 
the inhabitants wifh well to his Majefty's arms; but 
they have not given evidence enough either of their 
number or their aftivity, to juftify the fiake of this 
■province^ for the uncertain advantages that -might attend 
immediate jun^ion with them. There is reafon to be- 
lieve that fuch muft have been the rifk. 

Whilft this army lay at Charlotteburgh, George- 
Town was taken from the militia by the rebels; and 
the whole country to the eaft of the Santee, gave fuch 
proofs of general defedion, that even the militia of 
the High Hills could not be prevailed upon to join 
a party of troops who were fent to proteft our boats 
upon the river. The defeat of Major Fergufon, had 
fo difpirited this part of the country, and indeed the 
loyal fubjeds were fo wearied by the long continuance 

of 



42 Extratls of Letters previous to the 

of the campaign, that Lieutenant-colonel Cruger, 
(commanding at Ninety-fix) fent information to Earl 
Cornwallis, that the whole diftrid; had determined to 
fubmit as foon as the rebels fliould enter it. From 
thefe circumftances, from the confideration that delay 
does not extinguifh our hopes in North Carolina; 
and from the long fatigue of the troops, which made 
it ferioufly requifite to give fome refrefhment to the 
army; Earl Cornwallis has refolved to remain for 
the prefent in a pofition which may fecure the fron- 
tiers without feparating his force. In this iituation 
we fhall be always ready for movement, whenfoever 
opportunity fhall recommend it, or circumflances 
require it. But the firft care mufl be to put Camden 
and Ninety-fix into a better flate of defence, and to 
furnifh them with ample {lores and fait provifions. 
Earl Cornwallis forefees all the difficulties of a de- 
fenfive war, Tet his Lord/hip thinks they cannot be 
weighed againji the dangers which mujl have attended 
an obftinate adherence to his former plan. I am in- 
flrufted by Earl Cornwallis to exprefs, in the ftrongefl 
terms, his Lordfhip's feelings, with regard to the 
very effedual meafures which your Excellency had 
taken to forward his operations. His Lordfhip 
hopes that his fears of abufing your Excellency's 
goodnefs in that particular, may not have led him 
to negled making ufe of a force intended by your 
Excellency to be employed by him. But as his 
Lordfhip knew not how far your Excellency might 

aim 



Second Move into North Carolina. 43 

aim at other objefts in the Chefapeak (to which 
point his Lordfhip's entreaty for co-operation was 
originally confined) he could not think of afluming 
the power to order Major-general Leflie to Cape 
Fear river; though he pointed out the utility of the 
meafure, in cafe it fhould be conceived within the 
extent of your Excellency's purpofe. 

Lord Cornwallis farther defires me to fay he feels 
infinitely obliged by the very flattering tefl:imonies 
of approbation with which your Excellency has been 
pleafed to honour his fuccefs on the 16th of Auguft. 
He has fignified your Excellency's thanks to the 
officers and men, who received them with grateful 
acknowledgement. 

I have the honour to be, &c. 

(Signed) RAWDON. 



Extract. — From Lord Rawdon to Sir Henry Clinton^ 
dated Camp between Broad River ^ and the Catawba^ 
South Carolina^ October i^x^ 1780. 

S I R, 

B Y Lord Cornwallis's directions, I had the 

honour of writing to your Excellency on the 29th 

Inftant, detailing to your Excellency the circum- 

fl:ances which had obliged Lord Cornwallis to relin- 

L quifh 



44 ExtraBs of Letters -previous to the 

quifh the attempt of penetrating to Hillfborough; 
and inclofing the copy of a letter which his Lord- 
fhip made me write to Major-general Leflie on that 
occafion. 

On farther confideration his Lordfhip refledling 
on the difficulties of a defenfive war, and of the 
hopes which your Excellency would probably build 
of our fuccefs in this quarter, has thought it advifable 
not only to recommend more ftrongly to Major- 
general Leflie, a plan which may enable us to take 
an aftive part; but even to make it his requeft in 
cafe it fhould not be incompatible with your Excel- 
lency's farther arrangements. 

Lord Cornwallis is particularly induced to invite 
Major-general Leflie to co-operation in the Cape 
Fear river, by the fuppofition that your Excellency 
may not want thefe troops during the winter: and 
they may join your Excellency in the Springs Jcarcely later 
than^ fhould they on the approach of that feafon fail from 
any part of Chef apeak Bay. 



ExtraB, 



Second Move into North Carolina. 45 

Extras. — From Earl Cornwallis to Major-general 
Lejlie, dated Camp at JVinneJhorough, between Broad 
River and Wateree^ November 12, 1780. 

I F you come to Cape Fear, of which at prefent, 
I have little doubt, by the help of gallies and fmall 
craft, which will be fent from Charles-town, you will 
eafily fecure a water conveyance for your ftores up 
to Crofs Creek. I will on hearing of your arrival in 
Cape Fear river, inftantly march with every thing 
that can be fafely fpared from this Province, which 
I am forry to fay is moft exceedingly difaffeded, to 
join you at Crofs Creek. We will then give our 
friends in North Carolina, a fair trial. If they behave 
like men it may be of the greateft advantage to the 

affairs of Britain. If they are as as our 

friends to the fouthward, we muft leave them to their 
fate, and fecure what we have got. 



Extract. — From Lieutenant-colonel Balfour^ without 
date, to Major-general Lejlie. 

My Dear General, 
I WROTE you a few days ago by the Exprefs 
(loop, and have only to repeat, that t\\Q fafety of 
this province now is concerned in your getting as faft 

as 



46 Extras s of Letters previous to the 

as poflible near us. Gates is advancing as 

we are told, to this province, and already near it. 



Copy. — From Sir Henry Clinton, K. B. to Earl 
Cornwallis, dated New York, December 13, 1780. 

MY LORD, 

I A M honoured with your Lordfhip's letters of 
the 3d and 22d of September, by the Thames, which 
arrived here the 12th ultimo. And on the 5th in- 
ftant I received by the Beaumont, thofe from Lord 
Rawdon, and Colonel Balfour, to General Leflie. 
Inclofed I fend your Lordfhip a return of the force 
that embarked with him. 

It was all I could fpare, and I thought it fully 
adequate to the fervices required. My firft inftruc- 
tions to General Leflie put that corps entirely fubjedt 
to your Lordfliip's orders. 

I did not, I confefs, however fuppofe it would 
move to Cape Fear; but having afterwards too good 
reafon to dread Fergufon's fate, I in a fecond inftruc- 
tion recommended that meafure, as the only falutary 
one under the circumftances I apprehended Fergu- 
fon's defeat would place your Lordfliip. By a letter 
of Colonel Balfour's to General Leflie (without date) 
are thefe Expreflions "I have only to repeat that 
the Jafety of this province now is concerned in your 

getting 



Second Move into North Carolina. 47 

getting as faft as pofTible near us." I fliould be forry 
to underftand by this that the province is really in 
danger. Wifhing however to give your Lordfhip's 
operations in North Carolina, every affiflance in my 
power, though I can ill fpare it, I have fent another 
expedition into the Chefapeak, under the orders of 
Brigadier-general Arnold, Lieutenant-colonels Dun- 
das, and Simcoe. The force by land is not equal to 
that which failed with General Leflie; but I am not 
without hopes it will operate moft eflentially in favour 
of your Lordihip; either by ftriking at Gates's depot 
at Peterfburg, which I have ftill reafon to think is 
confiderable; or finally by taking poll at Portfmouth, 
which I have ever confidered as very important, for 
reafons moft obvious. If we take poft there, fortify, 
and aflemble the inhabitants; it ought not afterwards 
to be quitted; and therefore I cannot fuppofe your 
Lordihip will wifh to alter the difpofition of this 
corps, without abfolute neceffity. 

On the contrary I flatter myfelf, that fhould your 
fuccefs be fuch as your Lordftiip will, I hope, now 
have reafon to exped:, that you will reinforce that 
corps, and enable it to ad; offenfively. When that 
is your intention, I am to requeft that the following 
corps may in their turn be confidered for that fer- 
vice, viz. The troop of feventeenth dragoons, the 
yagers, the detachment of the feventeenth foot, and 
the provincial light infantry, &c. I need not tell 
your Lordfhip that thefe detachments have left me 

very 



48 Extra^s of Letters previous to the 

very bare indeed of troops; nor that Wafhington ftill 
continues very ftrong (at leaft 12000 men) tliat he 
has not detatched a fingle man as yet to the fouth- 
ward, except Lee's cavalry (about two hundred and 
fifty). I need not tell you alfo that there are fix 
thoufand French already at Rhode Ifland — but I 
muft acquaint your Lordfhip that fix complete regi- 
ments more are expeded, under convoy of a number 
of capital fhips. But whatever may have been the 
intention of the French in fending a reinforcement 
to this country. I think the feafon is now too far 
advanced to exped: the laft; and was I not clearly of 
that opinion I fhould fcarcely dare detatch as I do. 
As I have always faid, I think your Lordfhip's 
movement to the fouthward mofl important, and as 
I ever have done, fo I will now give them all the 
affiflance I can. It remains to be proved whether 
we have friends in North Carolina — I am fure we 
had three years ago — That experiment now will be 
fairly tried; if it fucceeds, and we hold the entrance 
of the Chefapeak — I think the rebels will fcarcely 
rifk another attempt upon thofe provinces. 



Copy. 



Second Move into North Carolina. 49 



Copy. — From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton, 
dated Camp at Wynnefiorough, December 3, 1780. 

S I R, 

I AM honoured with your letters of the 5th and 
6th of laft month. Lord Rawdon, during my illnefs, 
informed your Excellency, in his letters of the 28th 
and 3 1 ft of Odiober, of the various caufes which 
prevented my penetrating into North Carolina. I 
ftiall not trouble you with a recapitulation, except a 
few words about poor Major Fergufon. I had the 
honour to inform your Excellency that Major Fer- 
gufon had taken infinite pains with fome of the militia 
of Ninety-fix. He obtained my permiflion to make 
an incurfion into Tryon county, while the ficknefs 
of my army prevented my moving. As he had only 
militia and the fmall remains of his own corps, with- 
out baggage or artillery, and as he promifed to come 
back if he heard of any fuperior force, I thought he 
could do no harm, and might help to keep alive the 
fpirit of our friends in North Carolina, which might 
be damped by the flownefs of our motions. The 
event proved unfortunate, without any fault of Major 
Fergufon's. A numerous and unexpeded enemy 
came from the mountains. As they had good 
horfes, their movements were rapid. Major Fer- 
gufon was tempted to ftay near the mountains longer 
than he intended, in hopes of cutting off Colonel 

Clarke 



50 Ex trails of Letters previous to the 

Clarke on his return from Georgia. He was not 
aware that the enemy was (o near him; and, in en- 
deavouring to execute my orders of pafling the Ca- 
tawba, and joining me at Charlotte-town, he was 
attacked by a very fuperior force, and totally de- 
feated on King's-mountain. 

Wynnefborough, my prefent pofition, is an healthy 
fpot, well fituated to proted: the greateft part of the 
Northern frontier, and to affift Camden and Ninety- 
fix. The militia of the latter, on which alone we 
could place the fmalleft dependence, was fo totally 
difpirited by the defeat of Fergufon, that of the 
whole diftrid we could with difficulty afl"emble one 
hundred; and even thofe, I am convinced, would 
not have made the fmalleft refiftance if they had 
been attacked. I determined to remain at this place 
until an anfwer arrived from General Leflie, on 
which my plan for the winter was to depend; and 
to ufe every poflible means of putting the province 
into a ftate of defence, which I found to be abfo- 
lutely necefllary, whether my campaign was offenfive 
or defenfive. Bad as the ftate of our affairs was on 
the Northern frontier, the Eaftern part was much 
worfe. Colonel Tynes, who commanded the militia 
of the high hills of Santee, and who was pofted on 
Black-river, was furprized and taken, and his men 
loft all their arms. Colonel Marion had fo wrought 
on the minds of the people, partly by the terror of 
his threats and cruelty of his puniftiments; and 

partly 



Second Move into North Carolina. 5 1 

partly by the promife of plunder, that there was 
fcarcely an inhabitant between the Santee and Pedee, 
that was not in arms againft us. Some parties had 
even crofTed the Santee, and carried terror to the 
gates of Charles-town. My firft obje6l was to rein- 
ftate matters in that quarter, without which Camden 
could receive no fupplies. I therefore fent Tarleton, 
who purfued Marion for feveral days, obliged his 
corps to take to the fwamps, and by convincing the 
inhabitants that there was a power fuperior to Marion, 
who could likewife reward and punifh, fo far checked 
the infurreftion, that the greateft part of them have 
not dared to appear in arms againft us fince his ex- 
pedition. 

As it will be necefTary to drive back the 

enemies army, and at the fame time to maintain a 
fuperiority on both our flanks; and as I thought the 
co-operation of General Leflie, even at the diftance 
of Cape-Fear river, would be attended with many 
difficulties, I have fent cruizers off the Frying-pan 
to bring him into Charles-town, and I hourly exped: 
his arrival. 

After every thing that has happened, 1 will not 
prefume to make your Excellency any fanguine pro- 
mifes. The force you have fent me is greater than I 
expetled^ and full as much as I think you could poffibly 
Jpare^ unless the enemy detached in force to the 
Southward. The utmoft exertion of my abilities 
fhall be ufed to employ them to the beft advantage. 
M Whenever 



52 Extra^s of Letters previous to the 

Whenever our operations commence, your Ex- 
cellency may depend on hearing from me as fre- 
quently as poflible; and it is from events alone that 
any future plan can be propofed. 



ExtraEl. — From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton, 
dated Wynne/borough, Dec. 22, 1780. 

S I R, 
I HAVE the honour to inform your Excellency, 
that Major-general Leflie arrived with his whole 
fleet at Charles-town on the 14th of this month, 
with no other lofs than the dragoon horfes, and a 
great part of thofe for the Quarter-mafter-general. 
The fpecies of troops which compofe the reinforce- 
ment are, exclufive of the Guards and regiment of 
Bofe, exceedmgly bad.* I do not mean, by repre- 
fenting this to your Excellency, to infinuate that 
you have not fent every affiftance to me which you 
could with prudence and fafety fpare from New-York. 

From 

* When his Lordfhip made this remark, he had not feen 
the troops. He muft have, therefore, formed his opinion 
from the report of others. But in juftice to the corps who 
are fpoken fo flightingly of, it is necefl'ary to obferve, that 
they have all behaved in fuch a manner as to merit the ap- 
plaufes of the officers commanding them, and one of them 
( tannings) has obtained a Britifti eftablifliment. 



Second Move into North Carolina. 53 

From the account which your Excellency does me 
the honour to fend me, of the fituation and ftrength 
of General Wafhington's army, and the French force 
at Rhode-Ifland, I am convinced that you have done 
fo. But I think it but juftice to the troops ferving 
in this diftrid to ftate the fad, left the fervices per- 
formed by the Southern army fhould appear inade- 
quate to what might be expeded from the numbers 
of which it may appear to confift. The fleet from 
New-York, with the recruits, arrived a few days 
before General Leflie. 



PART 



PART V. 



CONTAINING 



EXTRACT 



FROM THE 



Correfpondence ; between his Lordfhip's fecond Move into 
North Carolina, and his Arrival at Wilmington. 



Extratl. — From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton^ 
dated Wynne/borough^ Jan. 6, 178 1. 



I 



S I R, 



AM juft honoured with your letter of the 13th 
ult. I have written feveral letters in the courfe of 
laft month, to give your Excellency an account of 
the ftate of the provinces of South Carolina and 
Georgia, and of the military tranfadions. I fear 
they are all ftill at Charles-town, as no opportunity 
has offered of tranfmitting them to New-York. The 
prefent addition to the naval force in this quarter, 

will, 



Extra^s from the Correjpondence^ ^c. 5 5 

will, I hope, enable me; or, if I am too diftant, 
Lieutenant colonel Balfour, to tranfmit reports more 
frequently. 

The difficulties I have had to ftruggle with, have 
not been occafioned by the oppofite army. They 
always keep at a confiderable diftance, and difappear 
on our approach. 

But the conftant incurfions of Refugees, North 
Carolinians, and Back-Mountain-men, and the per- 
petual rifings in the different parts of this province; 
the invariable fucceffes of all thefe parties againft our 
militia, keep the whole country in continual alarm, 
and renders the affiftance of regular troops every 
where neceffary. Your Excellency will judge of this 
by the difpofition of the troops, which I have the 
honour to enclofe to you. 

I fhall begin my march to-morrow, (having been 
delayed a few days by a diverfion made by the enemy 
towards Ninety-fix) and propofe keeping on the Weft 
of Catawba for a confiderable diftance. I fliall then 
proceed to pafs that river, and the Yadkin. Events 
alone can decide the future fteps. I ftiall take every 
opportunity of communicating with Brigadier-general 
Arnold. 



ExtraEl. 



56 Extratls from the Correjpondence 



Extras. — From Major-general Lejlie to Sir Henry 
Clinton^ dated Camden ^ Jan. 8, 178 1. 

S I R, 

I ARRIVED here fome days ago, with the 
Guards, the regiment of Bofe, and Yagers; I went 
to Wynnefborough to fee Earl Cornwallls. He 
moves to-day, and I march to-morrow with the 
above troops and North-Carolina regiment. I meet 
his Lordfhip about feventy miles from hence. 

The troops are exceedingly healthy, and the weather 
has been very favourable. 



Copy. — From Sir Henry Clinton to Earl Cornwallis, 
dated New-York, March 2, 5, and 8, 1781. 

[Sent by Captain Amherft, in the Jupiter Merchant Ship.] 

March 2d. 

MY LORD, 

YOUR Lordfhip may probably hear, that the 

army and navy in the Chefapeak are blocked up by 

a fuperior French naval force to that under Captain 

Symonds. The firft account I had of it was from 

General 



Relative to the Move to Wilmington. 57 

General Arnold, dated February 14, and I fent it 
immediately to the Admiral at Gardiner's-bay. A 
day or two afterwards I had it confirmed, that they 
were part of the fleet from Rhode-ifland, which I 
have heard fince failed from thence on the 9th ult. 
Notwithftanding which I greatly fear he has not fent 
a naval force to relieve them. Wafliington has de- 
tached fome New-England troops under La Fayette 
and Howe that way. 



March 5th. 

I F fo much time is given, I cannot anfwer for 
confequences. Portfmouth is fafe at this feafon 
againfl: any attack from the Sufix)lk fide, but not fo 
from a landing in any of the bays to the Southward 
of Elizabeth-river. 

I have much to lament that the Admiral did not 
think it advifable to fend there at firft, as Brigadier- 
general Arnold's move in favour of your Lordfliip's 
operations will have been fliopped. — And if the Ad- 
miral delays it too long, I fiiall dread fi:ill more fatal 
confequences. 

I have troops already embarked in a great propor- 
tion to that of the enemy, but to fend them under 
two frigates only, before the Chefapeak is our own, 
is to facrifice the troops and their convoy. 

I enclofe your Lordfliip all the news I have been 

able to colled. has, I think, quitted 

Congrefs, 



f 8 Extra^s from the Correfpondence 

Congrefs, and put them at defiance. — Your Lord- 
fhip will fee his plan by the newfpaper of the 28th 
of February, faid to be genuine. Difcontent runs 
high in Connefticut. In fhort, my Lord, there 
feems little wanting to give a mortal ftab to rebellion 
but a proper reinforcement and a fuperiority at fea 
for the next campaign; without which, any enterprize 
depending on water movements muft certainly run 
great rifk. Should the troops already embarked for 
the Chefapeak proceed, and, when there, be able to 
undertake any operation in addition to what Briga- 
dier-general Arnold propofes, I am confident it will 
be done. Major-general Phillips will command this 
expedition. 

Till Colonel Bruce arrives, I am uncertain what 
reinforcements are intended for this army. The 
minifter has, however, affured me, that every poffi- 
ble exertion will be made. 

I fhall tremble for our poft at Portfmouth, fhould 
the enemy's reinforcement arrive in that neighbour- 
hood before the force, which I now flatter myfelf the 
Admiral will order a fufficient convoy for, arrives. 



March 



Relative to the Move to Wilmington. 59 



March 8th. 

1 HAVE received a letter from General Arnold, 
dated the 25th ult. wherein he tells me, that the 
French left him on the 19th. 

And in another letter, of the 27th, he fays, 
he has not the leaft doubt of defending his poll 
againft the force of the country and two thoufand 
French troops, until a reinforcement can arrive 
from New-York. And that he propofed to fend 
five hundred men, under Colonel Dundas, up 
James-river, to make a diverfion in favour of your 
Lordfhip. 

The Admiral informs me of the return of 
the French fhips to Rhode-ifland, and of 
their having taken the Romulus, and carried 
her into that place. But as the Admiral, in his 
letter of the 4th, feems to think, that the whole, 
or at lead a great part of the French fleet failed 
for the Chefapeak on the 27th ult, and that he 
was at that time ready to fail, I flatter myfelf he 
is either gone there, or has fent a fufiicient force 
to clear the Chefapeak. The troops under General 
Phillips have been embarked for fome time, and 
are now at the Hook waiting for the Admiral, or 
a mefl'age from him. General Phillips commands, 
and I am fure you know his inclinations are to co- 
N operate 



6o Extracts from the Correjpondence^ &c. 

operate with your Lordfhip; and you will therefore 
be pleafed to take him under your orders, until you 
hear farther from me. 



I have the honour, &c. 



(Signed) H. CLINTON. 



Relative to the Move to Wilmington. 6i 



KxtraEl. — From Brigadier-general Arnold to Sir Henry 
Clinton, K. B. dated Port/mouth, January 23, 1781. 

THE line of works begun, which are neceflary 
for the defence of this place, your Excellency will 
obferve (by the plan inclofed) are very extenfive, 
and from the fituation of it, cannot be contraded. 
The engineer's opinion of them, and the number 
of men necefTary for their defence, againft a fuperior 
force, I do myfelf the honour to inclofe. Lieutenant- 
colonels Dundas and Simcoe, are clearly of opinion 
with me, that three thoufand men are neceffary for 
their defence. We have all been greatly deceived 
in the extent and nature of the ground. There are 
many places in the river much eafier defended with 
half the number of men. From the sketch of the 
place your Excellency will judge whether our opinion 
is well founded or not. 

This province and North Carolina, are colle6ling 
the militia, undoubtedly with a view to pay us a 
vifit. Their numbers, from the befl information I 
can obtain, are four thoufand or five thoufand. At 
prefent I can hardly imagine they will attack this 
poll, though the works are of no manner of fervice 
to us; and all our force cannot complete them in 
three months: I therefore think it my duty to re- 
queft a reinforcement of at leaft two thoufand men, 
which would render the poft permanent and fecure 

againft 



62 Extratls from the Correjpondence 

againft any force the country could bring, as detach- 
ments could always be made (leaving the garrifon 
fecure) to difperfe the militia, whenever it was found 
they were colleding; and the advantages of tranf- 
portation, which we may derive from light boats (of 
which I propofe to build fifty) would enable us to 
move with double the celerity, that the militia could 
do with every exertion. 

The country people have not come in, in num- 
bers, as I expeded; the neceffity of General Leflie's 
removing from this place, after their being affured 
of his intention to remain here, has impreffed them 
with the idea that we fhall do the fame; which is not 
eafily effaced, as they have many of them fuffered 
feverely fince his departure. I have not with cer- 
tainty been informed where he is at prefent — Re- 
ports, which are contradictory, fay at Cape Fear; 
others that he is at Charles-town; and fome fay at 
neither. I know not what opinion to form; neither 
have I heard from Lord Cornwallis, but by reports, 
which fay he is at or near Camden — No opportu- 
nity has yet prefented of writing to either of thefe 
gentlemen — but I am of opinion our diverfion at 
Richmond will operate much in his favour, as I am 
informed the militia and light-horfe, fent to reinforce 
the rebel army, under Greene, have been ordered to 
return. 



Extra^. 



Relative to the Move to Wilmington. 63 



ExtraB. — From Sir Henry Clinton^ K. B. to General 
Earl Cornwallis^ dated New Tork^ February 5, 
1781. 

MY LORD, 

1 HAVE the honour to inclofe to your Lord- 
fhip the copy of a letter I have lately received from 
Brigadier-general Arnold, by which you will perceive 
that with fcarcely one thoufand men (for feveral of 
his tranfports, that had been feparated on the voyage, 
had not then rejoined him) he penetrated to Rich- 
mond, the capital of Virginia, and has rendered im- 
portant fervice, by deftroying a valuable foundry, a 
confiderable quantity of public ftores, cannon, &c. 
&c. Indeed the whole of his operations upon the 
occafion appear to have been conduced in a manner 
which ftrongly marks his character of a very adive 
and good officer — and I fincerely hope, that this 
important ftroke will elTentially aid your Lordfhip's 
operations. 



Extract. 



64 ExtraHs from the Correjpondence 

ExtraB. — F?-om Sir H. Clinton^ K. B. to Lieutenant- 
colonel Balfour, Jent by Captain Amherft, in the Ju- 
piter merchant Jhip, dated New York, March 9, 
1781. 

S I R, 

I WAS favoured with your letters, dated the 
25th and 31ft January, and 2d and 5th February, 
by the Halifax floop of war, on the i6th ultimo. 

Captain Amherft of the fixtieth regiment, who is 
fo obliging to charge himfelf with my difpatches for 
Lord Cornwallis, will deliver them to your care. 



Rxtra^. — From Brigadier-general Arnold to Sir H. 
Clinton, K. B. dated Port/mouth, February 13, 1 7 8 1 . 

NO time has been loft in repairing the old, and 
erecting new works here, in which the negroes have 
been very ferviceable, but none are yet complete. 
Repairing barracks, foraging, and patrolling with 
large parties, have engroffed the time of a great part 
of the troops. One hundred men are pofted at the 
great bridge. 

Lieutenant-colonel Simcoe, with near four hun- 
dred men, are in Princefs Anne county; fcouring 
the county of feveral parties, and arranging matters 
with the country people. 

The 



Relative to the Move to Wilmington. 6^ 

The enemy are at Suffolk, with two thoufand five 
hundred, or three thoufand men; they threaten an 
attack upon us, but I cannot fuppofe them capable 
of fo much temerity. We are prepared for them at 
all points, and I believe nothing will induce them to 
attack us, but the hope of fucceeding in a furprife, 
and defpair of keeping their tattered force together, 
through want of provifions, and the neceffity of their 
ploughing their lands, to prevent a famine the enfu- 
ing year. 



Extra^. — From Brigadier general Arnold to Sir H. 
Clint on y K. B. dated P or tf mouthy February 25, lySi. 

AFTER my difpatches were clofed (which were 
intended to go by the General Monk) three French 
fhips, one a fixty-four, the other two frigates, arrived 
from Rhode Ifland, and anchored in Lynhaven Bay. 
On the 14th inftant they arrived in Hampton road, 
and remained there until the 19th, when they left 
the Capes, and are faid to be now cruizing to the 
fouthward of them. 

Before the arrival of the French fhips, the enemy's 
force did not exceed two thoufand five hundred men, 
at Suffolk and In the vicinity, which was greatly 
augmented foon after their arrival. On the i8th 
they came down in force, near our lines, and fur- 

prifed 



S6 Rxtratls from the Corre/pondence 

prifed a piquet of fix men; but Toon retired. Lieu- 
tenant-colonel Simcoe with four hundred men being 
in Princefs Anne county, I did not think it prudent 
to leave our works to attack them. 

I have very good intelligence that the rebels at 
Suffolk have been informed by exprefs from General 
Greene, that on the i6th or i8th inftant, my Lord 
Cornwallis crofTed the Dan river, fixty miles above 
Halifax, and one hundred and twelve from Peterf- 
burgh, with one thoufand cavalry and four thoufand 
infantry, and was on the march for Peterfburgh. 
Generals Greene and Morgan, with three thoufand 
or four thoufand men, chiefly militia, were retiring 
before him; in confequence of which a confiderable 
part of their troops, have been detached to join 
General Greene. I have not been able to afcertain 
the number of troops remaining at Suffolk and in the 
vicinity; I exped: to do it in a day or two, in which 
time every poffible effort fhall be made to complete 
our works in fuch a manner, that a confiderable de- 
tachment may be made to proceed up the James river, 
with fome fhips to co-operate with Lord Cornwallis; 
and if he fliould have reached the river, to furnifh 
him with fuch fupplies of provisions, &c. as we can 
fpare, and his troops be mofl: in need of. 



Extras. 



Relative to the Move to IVilmington. 67 



Extra5i. — From Sir Henry Clinton^ K. B. to Brigadier 
general Arnold^ dated New York^ February 18, 178 i. 

APPEARANCES at Rhode Ifland give me 
reafon to fuppofe that the fhips feen laft Wednefday 
were the avant garde from that place. Should they 
pay you a vifit from Rhode Ifland, you may reft 
aftured every attention will be paid to your fituation, 
and that our movements will be regulated by theirs. 

I am afraid Tarleton's affair is too true; but I 
have reafon notwithftanding to believe Lord Corn- 
wallis is far advanced in Carolina. 



Extras. — From Brigadier-general Arnold to Sir H. 
Clinton^ K. B. dated Port/mouthy February 27, 1781. 

I HAVE not the leaft doubt that every poffible 
attention will be paid to our fituation. We are un- 
der no apprehenfions at prefent from the force of the 
country; and if the French fhould detach from Rhode 
Ifland to this place, I have not the leaft doubt of 
defending it againft the force of the country and two 
thoufand French troops, until a reinforcement can 
arrive from New York. 

To-morrow I intend embarking fome ftores, and 

the next day about five hundred troops under the 

o orders 



68 Extra5ls from the Correfpondence 

orders of Lieutenant-colonel Dundas, to proceed up 
the James river, to make a diverfion in favour of my 
Lord Cornwallis. 



Copy. — Sir Henry Clinton^ K. B. to Brigadier-general 
Arnold y dated New Tork, March i, 1781. 

S I R, 

I SUPPOSE of courfe that the admiral, who 
knew your iituation on the 21ft, and heard at the 
fame time, that the fixty-four and two frigates were 
from Rhode Ifland, has detached to your relief; — 
left he fhould not, I have repeatedly prefTed him to 
do it fince. 

The French fleet has not yet failed from Rhode 
Ifland; if it does, encumbered with troops, the ad- 
miral will of courfe follow without incumbrance; 
and, when he has fixed them, it will be time enough 
to fend troops. In cafe a fleet fliould appear under 
French colours, do not be alarmed, as I fliall advife 
the admiral to fend in that manner, to deceive the 
enemy. 

There is information of from twelve to fourteen 
hundred troops being at Brunfwick the 27th of Feb- 
ruary, on their way to the fouthward. Thefe it is 
our bufinefs to watch. 

The 



Relative to the Move to Wilmington. 69 

The troops which are already embarked, are de- 
tained till I receive certain advice that the French 
fhips are removed from the Chefapeak, there being 
nothing here but frigates to convoy them. 

I have received a letter this day from the admiral, 
dated the 4th: he has given me no pofitive informa- 
tion of the movements of the French; he will fend a 
fhip to obferve their fituation in Rhode Ifland, and 
will proceed accordingly. Should he call here, the 
troops will in all probability fail with him; if he 
does not, 1 fhall fend them as foon as I know the 
way to the Chefapeak is clear. 



Extract. — From InJiru£fions to Major-general Phillips, 
dated New York, March 10, 1781. 

S I R, 

YOU will be pleafed to proceed with the troops 
embarked under your command, to Chefapeak Bay; 
and there form a jundion as foon as poffible with 
brigadier-general Arnold, whom, and the corps with 
him, you will take under your orders. 

When you fhall have formed your jundlion with 
Brigadier general Arnold, if you find that General 
ading under the orders of Earl Cornwallis, you will 
of courfe endeavour to fulfil thofe orders. If this 

fhould 



yo Extra^s from the Correjpondence 

fhould not be the cafe; after receiving every infor- 
mation refpefting his probable fituation, you will 
make fuch movements with the corps {then under 
your orders), as can be made confiftent with the 
fecurity of the poft on Elizabeth river, or you fhall 
think will moft efFeftually aflift his Lordfhip's ope- 
rations; by deftroying or taking any magazines, the 
enemy may have on James River, or at Peterfburg, 
on the Appamatox. 

The objed of co-operation with Lord Cornwallis, 
being fulfilled, you are at liberty to carry on fuch 
defultory expeditions for the purpofe of deftroying 
the enemy's public ftores and magazines in any part 
of the Chefapeak as you fhall judge proper. 

If the admiral's difapproving of Portfmouth, and 
requiring a fortified ftation for large fhips in the 
Chefapeak, fhould propofe York T'own^ or Old Point 
Comfort^ if pofieffion of either can be acquired and 
maintained without great rijk, or lojs^ you are at 
liberty to take pofTefTion thereof. But if the objections 
are fuch as you think forcible^ you mufi^ after fating 
thofe objections^ decline it^ till f olid operation take place 
in the Chefapeak. 

Concerning your return to this place, you will re- 
ceive either my orders, or Lord Cornwallis's, as cir- 
cumftances may make neceflary. 

It is probable that when the objects of this expe- 
dition are fulfilled, and you have ftrengthened the 
prefent works, and added fuch others as you fhall 

think 



Relative to the Move to JVilmington. 71 

think neceflary, you may return to this place. In which 
cafe you muft bring with you, Brigadier-general Ar- 
nold, the light infantry, Colonel Robinfon's corps, 
or the feventy-fixth; and if it fhould be poffible, the 
Queen's rangers. The moment you have commu- 
nicated with Lord Cornwallis, and heard from his 
Lordfhip, you are to confider yourfelf as under his 
Lordfhip's orders, until he, or you fhall hear further 
from me. 

(Signed) H. CLINTON. 



Extratl. — From Brigadier-general Arnold to Sir Henry 
Clinton, dated Port/mouth, March 8, 1781. 

O N the 6th I received information that Lord 
Cornwallis had not penetrated further than the Dan 
or Roanoke river, and that, in confequence of the 
roifrnformatlon (fent to the rebel army, by exprefs, 
as mentioned in my laft) being contradided, their 
detachment had returned to their army at Suffolk, 
as well as Mr. Gregory, to the north-weft bridge — 
Their force at the former place three thoufand, at 
the latter five hundred. On this change of affairs 
the troops under the orders of Lieutenant-colonel 
Dundas, who were defigned up the James river, were 
countermanded. 

The enemy within two days have moved with 
their force, faid to be upwards of three thoufand 

men 



7 2 Extra^s from the Correfpondence 

men to Pricket mills, twelve miles from this place, 
and threaten an attack upon us. I have every reafon 
to believe they have collefted their force to co-ope- 
rate with the French fhips and troops, which they 
hourly exped from Rhode ifland. 



Extras. — From Admiral Arbuthnot to General Arnold^ 
dated Chefapeak^ March 19, 1781. 

THE French fleet failed from Rhode-ifland on 
or about the 8th inftant, intending a co-operation 
with Mr. Wafhington, to attack you. I followed 
them on the loth, and came up with them on the 
1 6th: an adion enfued of about an hour and an half, 
when they fled off with their whole fquadron. 

I fliall put to fea again immediately with the fqua- 
dron, and endeavour to bring them to a fecond ac- 
tion. Should I be unable to do fo, I fliall return 
with the fquadron to New York, which mufl: be ex- 
pofed in my abfence, and I mufl: withdraw the fliips 
that are now with you. 



ExtraFt. 



Relative to the Move to Wilmington. 73 



Extra^i. — From Major-general Phillips to Sir Henry 
Clinton^ dated Che/apeak^ on board the Royal Oak^ in 
Lynhaven Bay, March 16, 178 1. 

THE fleet containing the troops under my or- 
ders, arrived off the Chefapeak yefterday, when Cap- 
tain Hudfon gave the Orpheus liberty to make fail 
and carry me into this bay, where we knew by intel- 
ligence from frigates we met at fea, that Admiral 
Arbuthnot was with his fleet. 

Our fleet failed from the Hook on Tuefday the 
20th inftant, and with variable winds, and good 
weather, is arrived; and now beating up to the ren- 
dezvous at Hampton, with hopes, not a certainty, 
of getting there this evening. 

With refpecfl to intelligence, it is not in my power 
to give you any at a certainty. I hear that at York 
the rebels have been and are fortifying, and that there 
are heavy cannon there. 



RxtraEl. — From Sir Henry Clinton to Major-general 
Phillips, dated New Tork, March 24, 1781. 

I BELIEVE that Lord Cornwallis has finifh- 
ed his campaign, and if report fays true, very hand- 
fomely, by taking all Greene's cannon, and recovering 

the 



74 ExtraBs from the Correfpondence 

the greateft part of his own men who had been made 
prifoners by Mr. Greene. If that fhould be the cafe, 
and Lord Cornwallis fhould not want any co-opera- 
tion to aflifl him, and you fee no profped of ftriking 
an important ftroke elfewhere, I Ihall probably re- 
queft you and General Arnold to return to me with 
fuch troops as I have already named in my inftruc- 
tions. But all this will depend on the information 
I fhall receive from you, and your opinion, refped;- 
ing the pofl of Portfmouth, and fuch others as you 
propofe to eftablifh on James river, with their im- 
portance, confidered, either as affifting Lord Corn- 
wallis's operations, or connefted with thofe of the 
navy. 

You will probably hear from Lord Cornwallis 
before you determine on any attempt at a diflance 
from him. I wifh much to know what force he can 
fpare from the troops under his Lordfhip's immediate 
orders; for till I do, it is impoffible to fix any plan. 
Three complete regiments will, I hope, arrive at 
Charles-town, in the courfe of a few days, if Captain 
Elphinfton fhould think it too early in the feafon to 
come diredly here; and three more are hourly ex- 
pefted from the Weft-Indies; both which diviiions 
will of courfe join me. 

The French certainly exped; an early reinforce- 
ment. If it comes from Europe, we muft, I think, 
hear from thence long before it arrives; if from the 
Havannah, copper-bottomed floops or frigates, which 

the 



Relative to the Move to Wilmington. 75 

the admiral will doubtlefs have on the look-out, 
will announce their arrival, and give you time to 
determine, what in that cafe, is beft to be done. 

And here, I take the liberty of hinting to you, 
that (from the appearance on the map when you 
have once obtained a naval force in Curratuck and 
Albemarle founds, by holding the bridges of Pequi- 
mans and Pafquotank rivers, you fecure a fhort paf- 
fage acrofs the Albemarle found, and communication 
with Lord Cornwallis; or, by deflroying the bridges 
on thofe rivers, you prevent the enemy's approach 
by the bridge at Northweft-landing. 



ExtraB. — From Major-general Phillips to Sir Henry 
Clinton^ K. B. dated Portfmouth^ April 3 , 1 7 8 1 . 

I have from the moment of my landing here, pur- 
fued the firft objed of your Excellency's inftruftions: 
"The fecurity of the poft upon Elizabeth river, near 
"the mouth of James river." 

And your Excellency may be affured, I fhall ufe 
every means to attain this very material purpofe, fo 
neceffary, and which alone can enable me, with four 
thoufand militia in our front and near us, to purfue 
the fecond part of your inftruftions: "A move in 
p force 



y6 ExtraBs from the CorreJ'pondence 

force upon the enemy's communications between 
Virginia and North Carolina, at Peterfburgh, in 
affiftance to Lord Cornwallis." And I fhall do this 
the moment it may be pofTible, confiftent with the 
fecurity of the poft on Elizabeth river. 

It is unlucky for us, that we know fo little of Lord 
Cornwallis, in favour of whom, and his operations 
we are direded by your Excellency to exert our ut- 
moft attention. I fhall do all in my power to affift 
and co-operate with his Lordfhip, and jfhall from in- 
clination, as well as in obedience to your Excellency's 
inftrudions, do all I can to effed this moft definable 
end. 

I apprehend from various rebel accounts that Lord 
Cornwallis, although he kept the field, has fuffered 
very much after the adion of the 15th ultimo, and 
to be fortifying to the weft of the Haw river, near 
Guildford, which feems a good pofition, having that 
river in front of the communication quite down to 
Crofs-Creek and Cape Fear. 

Should his Lordfhip want fupport, he muft in 
courfe draw it from Charles-town to Cape Fear 
river, by direding Lord Rawdon to abandon the 
frontier, and keep only a garrifon in Charles-town. 

I embrace your idea. Sir, that fhould La Fayette 
remain at Annapolis, which muft proceed from the 
enemy's fear of being attacked in Maryland, it will 
be poftible to carry him Annapolis and Baltimore; 
and if you wi" fend me the Britifh grenadiers and 

forty- 



Relative to the Move to Wilmington. 77 

forty-fecond regiment, I will, with almoft certain 
hopes of ruccefs, go upon the attempt; and will 
make an expedition in Virginia at the fame inftant, 
as fhall effeftually prevent any fupport from thence 
to Maryland. 

I come now to the particulars of this poll, and as 
It is not poffible in fo fhort a time, to go through 
the proper form of a regular report of the command- 
ing engineer, who came with me, I will, until that 
can be done, very freely offer my opinion that it has 
not been, I fhould imagine, properly explained to 
your Excellency, by Generals Matthews and Leflie. 
The objed of the poft, from its fituation, refpedting 
James river and the Chefapeak, with its connexion 
with the waters to and in Albemarle found, and the 
confequent connections it may have with any army 
in the Carolinas, are fubjefts I do not think myfelf 
at liberty to touch upon. I mean to confine myfelf 
merely to the locality of the poft itfelf; and under 
that defcription, I declare, I think the prefent fitua- 
tion not calculated for a poft of force, or for one for 
a fmall number of troops. In the firft idea, I think, 
three points fhould be taken, as at Mill Point and 
Norfolk pofitively; the third muft depend on more 
examination of the Elizabeth river, than I have yet 
been able to give. Thefe points taken would mu- 
tually affift the navy ftationed here, which might lay 
within, and be proteded; and one point forced, a 
retreat is left by the other two : and your Excellency 

will 



7 8 ExtraBs from the Correjpondence 

will immediately obferve, that it muft require a large 
force indeed, to attack the three points at once. 

Should it be required by your Excellency merely 
to keep a poll here, without intending more than a 
ftation, I think Mill Point, where the old fort flood, 
well calculated for fuch a purpofe; and it would re- 
quire not more than a ftrong battalion equal to fix 
hundred effedive rank and file to be the garrifon. 

In both inflances the Chefapeak mufl be fecure, 
for even allowing every exertion of defence againfl a 
fleet, it would be difficult to preferve the river under 
the firft idea of an extenfive plan. Under the latter, 
i confider it fcarcely to be done. Old Point Com- 
fort fhall be explored, as it feems a point which a 
fmall force might defend, and the fhipping have fcope 
to ad: in, and by trying various methods of winds 
and tides, would be able poffibly to efcape from even 
a fuperior naval force; whereas, once blocked up in 
Elizabeth river, the fhips mufl: at lafl: fall with the 
poll. 

I come now to the Norfolk and Princefs Ann 
counties, where we cannot much depend for afTifl- 
ance. They are timorous, cautious, at befl:, but half 
friends, and perhaps fome, if not many, concealed 
enemies. Suppofing them perfectly ours, we fhould 
not be able to arm more than five or fix hundred 
men, who would become a charge to us while we re- 
mained, and being left, would be undone. At pre- 
fent, they a(5l a fort of faving game, but are of no 

ufe 



Relative to the Move to Wilmington. 79 

ufe to us. Upon the whole, Sir, It may be perceived 
that I lean in favour of a fmall poft, where the army 
can affift the navy, and the latter have a chance of 
efcaping, fuppofing a fuperior force to arrive in the 
bay; and where the poft can be maintained with five 
or fix hundred men, for fome time, even perhaps till 
fome reinforcement naval and land might be fent to 
raife a fiege. 



Co-py. — Sir Henry Clinton, K. B. to Major-general 
Phillips, dated New-York, April t^, 1781. 

DEAR SIR, 

I NEED not fay how important fuccefs in the 
Highlands would be. I beg you will without lofs 
of time, confult General Arnold upon the fubjed:. 
I beg I may have his projed, and your opinion, as 
well as his, refpeding it, as foon as pofllble. When 
I have confidered it, and if I determine to undertake 
it, I will fend for him; and if operation fhould be at 
a ftand in the Chefapeak at the time, I will requeft 
you alfo to be of the party; the proportion of artil- 
lery I defired you to make, will of courfe be ready. 



P. S. 



8o ExtraBs from the Correjpondence 

P. S. If General Arnold does not think it expe- 
dient at this time to attempt it, which however, I 
fhould be forry for, perhaps a combined move be- 
tween us againft Philadelphia, may take place. You, 
by landing at the head of Elk; I, at Newcaftle, or 
Chefter; — if the firft, General Arnold muft let me 
have his plan as foon as poffible, and be ready to 
follow it himfelf, or may bring it, if you can fpare 
him. 



Extratl. — Sir Henry Clinton^ K. B. to Major-general 
Phillips, dated New-York, April 13, 1781. 

In addition to what I have faid in thofe letters 
(April 5) I fcarce need mention, that I am perfuaded 
you will not delay to make fuch movements in favour 
of Lord Cornwallis as you judge beft, with the force 
you have left after garrifoning the different works at 
Portfmouth; which after reading the report of your 
engineer, I flatter myfelfwill be perfedly fecure with 
fix or eight hundred men. In that cafe you will be 
at liberty to acH: with the remainder, being as good 
troops as any in this country, in fuch operations as 
you fhall judge moft conducive to affift thofe of his 
Lordfhip. 



Extrafl. 



Relative to the Move to Wilmington. 



Extratl. — Major-general Phillips to Sir Henry Clinton^ 
dated Port/mouth, in Virginia, April 15, 1781. 

I AM free to declare Portfmouth to be a bad poft, 
its locality not calculated for defence, the collateral 
points neceffary to be taken up fo many, that alto- 
gether it would require fo great a number of troops 
as no general officer I imagine would venture to pro- 
pofe to the Commander-in-chief to leave here for 
mere defence A fpot might be found, I appre- 
hend, for a poft for five hundred men, fhould it be 
neceffary to have one in Elizabeth River. 



Extract . — Major-general Phillips to Sir Henry Clinton, 
dated Hampton Road, on board the Maria, April 19, 
1781. 

THE face of affairs feems changed, and the Caro- 
linas, like all America, are loft in rebellion. My let- 
ters of the 15th, 1 6th, and yefterday, will go now in 
the Amphitrite, for I ftopped the exprefs boat laft 
night. — I have nothing farther to add, than that I 
conceive Lord Cornwallis will not have it in his 
power to bring with him many troops, it will depend 
on your Excellency from his Lordfhip's letters, and 
from thofe of Brigadier-general Arnold and me, 

whether 



82 Rxtra^s from the Correjpondence 

whether you fhall think it proper to have an opera- 
tion in force in Chefapeak — if yes, the troops here 
are too few — if no, too many. 

I hope to hear from your Excellency diredly, and 
perhaps it may not be fo well to truft fuch a ferious 
difpatch, as your next. Sir, will probably be, to an 
unarmed veflel, but that a frigate will be fent. 

The operations I had propofed againfl: Williamf- 
burg, fhall take place to-morrow morning, but I think 
it my duty to call a council of war, circumftanced as 
Lord Cornwallis is, to judge whether an attempt on 
Peterfburg may now be proper. 



Extrati. — Lieutenant-colonel Balfour to Sir Henry 
Clinton^ received by the Amphitrite man of war^ 
dated Charles-T' own ^ April ^^ 1781. 

S I R, 

I AM honoured with your letters of the 2d of 
January, and 19th of laft month; as alfo with one of 
the 14th ult. by your Excellency's directions, from 
Captain Smith. 

As Lord Cornwallis is in the greatefl want of 
every fupply, I have fent him to Cape Fear what 
could be procured here, and as he will have many 

calls 



Relative to the Move to Wilmington. 83 

calls on the Hofpital, in confequence of the late 
marches and aftion, I have taken care to furnifh a 
fupply of officers and ftores to that department at 
Wilmington; and fhall by that way forward to his 
Lordfhip your Excellency s difpatches^ whenever an 
occafion offers. 



PART VI. 



PART VI. 

CONTAINING 

EXTRACTS 

FROM THE 

Correfpondence; between Lord Cornwallis's arrival 
at Wilmington, and his entering Virginia. 



Extract. — From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton^ 
received by his Majefty s Jhip Amphitrite^ dated Camp^ 
near Wilmington^ April i o, 1 7 8 1 . 

S I R, 

I AM juft informed that I have a chance offend- 
ing a few lines to New-York by the Amphitrite. 
But as it depends upon my being expeditious, I can- 
not attempt to give your Excellency a particular 
account of the winter's campaign, or the battle of 
Guildford. 

I am 



previous to the entering Virginia. 85 

I am very anxious to receive your Excellency's 
commands, being as yet totally in the dark as to the 
intended operations of the fummer. I cannot help 
expreffing my wifhes that the Chefapeak may become 
the feat of war, even (if neceffary) at the expence of 
abandoning New-York. — Until Virginia is in a 
manner fubdued, our hold of the Carolinas muft be 
difficult, if not precarious. The rivers in Virginia 
are advantageous to an invading army; but North 
Carolina is, of all the provinces of America, the moft 
difficult to attack (unlefs material affiftance could be 
got from the inhabitants, the contrary of which I 
have fufficiently experienced) on account of its great 
extent, of the numberlefs rivers and creeks, and the 
total want of interior navigation. 



Copy. — Sir Henry Clinton to Earl Cornwallis^ dated 
New-Torky April 30, 1 7 8 1 . 

MY LORD, 
CAPTAIN Biggs of his Majefty's ffiip Amphi- 
trite, who arrived here the 2 2d, has delivered to me 
your Lordfhip's two letters from Wilmington of the 
loth inftant, informing me of your having obtained 
a complete victory over the rebel General Greene, 
near Guildford, on the 15th ult. On which occafion 

I beg 



86 Extra5ls from the Correjpondence 

I beg leave to offer your Lordfhip my moft hearty 
congratulations, and to requeft you will prefent my 
thanks to Major-general Leflie, Brigadier O'Hara, 
and Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton, for the great affift- 
ance you received from them, and to the officers and 
men under your command, for their great exertions 
on the march through Carolina, and their perfevering 
intrepidity in adion. 

The difparity of numbers between your Lordfhip's 
force and that of the enemy oppofed to you, appears 
to be very great; and I confefs I am at fome lofs to 
guefs how your Lordfhip came to be reduced before 
the aftion to one thoufand three hundred and fixty 
infantry, — as by the diftribution fent to me in your 
letter of the 6th of January, I am to fuppofe it was 
your intention to take with you the regiments men- 
tioned in the margin;* which (notwithftanding the 
lofs of the feventy-firfl and legion, in the unfortunate 
affair of the Cowpens) I fhould imagine muft have 
amounted to confiderably above three thoufand, ex- 
clufive of cavalry and militia. 

Before I was favoured with your Lordfhip's letter, 
the rebel account of the battle of Guildford had led 

me 

* Brigade of guards. 

Twenty-third. 

Seventy-firft, two battalions. 

Jagers. 

Regiment of Bofe. 

Light infantry feventy-firft. 

Legion. 

North Carolina regiment. 



previous to the entering Virginia. 87 

me indeed to hope that its confequences would have 
been more decifive; and that Green would have re- 
pafled the Roanoke, and left your Lordfhip at liberty 
to purfue the objects of your move into North Caro- 
lina. Under the perfuafion therefore that you would 
foon be able to finifh your arrangements for the fecu- 
rity of the Carolinas, I fubmitted to you in my letter 
of the 13th inftant (a duplicate of which I have the 
honour to inclofe) the propriety in that cafe of your 
going in a frigate to Chefapeak, and diredling fuch 
corps to follow you thither as you judged could be 
beft fpared. But as it is now probable that your 
Lordfhip's prefence in Carolina cannot be fo foon 
difpenfed with, I make no doubt but you will think 
it right to communicate to Major-general Phillips, 
without delay, the plan of your future operations in 
that quarter, together with your opinion how the 
Chefapeak army can beft direft theirs to aftift them. 
That general officer has already under his orders 
three thoufand five hundred men, and I fhall fend 
him one thoufand feven hundred more, which are 
now embarked, and will fail whenever the Admiral 
is ready. With thefe, my Lord, which are rank and 
file fit for duty, and great part of them taken from 
the elite of my army. General Phillips is direded by 
his inftrudions to a6t in favour of your Lordfhip to 
the beft of his own judgment, until he receives your 
orders; and afterwards in fuch manner as you may 
pleafe to command him, &c. — But I ftiall be forry 

to 



8 8 Extratls from the Correjpondence 

to find your Lordfhip continue in the opinion that 
our hold of the Carolinas muft be difficult, if not pre- 
carious, until Virginia is in a manner fubdued; as 
that is an event which I fear would require a con- 
fiderable fpace of time to accomplifh; and as far as I 
can judge, it might be not quite fo expedient at this 
advanced feafon of the year to enter into a long ope- 
ration in that climate. This, however will greatly 
depend upon circumftances, of which your Lordfhip 
and General Phillips may probably be better judges 
hereafter. 

With regard to the operations of the fummer, 
which your Lordfhip is anxious to receive my direc- 
tions about, you cannot but be fenfible that they 
muft in a great meafure depend on your Lordfhip's 
fucceffes in Carolina, the certainty and numbers of the 
expeded reinforcement from Europe, and likewife 
your Lordfhip's fending back to me the corps I had 
fpared to you under Major-general Leflie (which Lord 
Rawdon in his letter of the 31ft of Odober told me 
you could return in the fpring) for until I am informed 
of the particulars of your Lordfhip's march through 
North Carolina, the efFedive ftrength of your moving 
army, your plan of operations for carrying thofe objdls 
you had or may have in view into execution, as well by 
the corps ad;ing under your immediate orders, as thofe 
a6ting in co-operation under Major-general Phillips, 
it muft be obvioufly impoftible for me to determine 
finally upon a plan of operations for the campaign. 

I was 



previous to the entering Virginia. 89 

I was indeed in great hopes that your fuccefles in 
North Carolina would have been fuch as to have put 
it in my power to avail myfelf of a large portion of 
your Lordfhip's army, the whole Chefapeak corps, 
and the reinforcements from Europe, for this cam- 
paign's operations to the northward of Carolina; but 
I obferve with concern from your Lordfhip's letter, 
that fo far from being in a condition to fpare me any 
part of your prefent force, you are of opinion that 
part of the European reinforcement will be indif- 
penfibly neceffary to enable you to ad: offenfively, or 
even to maintain yourfelf in the upper parts of the 
country. 

Had I known what your Lordfhip's further ofFen- 
five meafures were intended to be for the remaining 
part of the feafon, I might now have given an opinion 
upon them, as well as on the probable co-operation 
of the corps in Chefapeak; without having which it 
will be fcarcely poffible for me to form any. For as 
I faid before, I fear no folid operation can be carried 
on to the northward of Chefapeak, before thofe to 
the fouthward of it are entirely at an end, either from 
fuccefs or the feafon ; and my letter to your Lordfhip 
of the 6th of November will have informed you what 
were my ideas of the operations proper to be purfued 
in Chefapeak, and my expectations from them, had 
circumftances admitted of my purfuing the plan to 
its full extent. But I muft now defer the fixing ulti- 
mately on a plan for the campaign, until I am made 

acquainted 



^o Extracts from the Correfpondence 

acquainted with the final fuccefs of your Lordfhip's 
operations, your profpeds and fentiments, and I can 
judge what force I can colled: for fuch meafures as I 
can then determine upon. 

I have the honour, &c. 

(Signed) H. CLINTON. 



Copy. — From Lieutenant-colonel Balfour to Sir Henry 
Clinton^ received by the Speedy packet, which called at 
Cape Fear, dated Charles-Town, April 20, 1781. 

S I R, 

I HAVE the honour to acquaint your Excel- 
lency, that by the letters from Lord Rawdon of the 
1 2th, 13th, and 15th inftant, there is the fulleft in- 
formation, that General Greene with his army is ad- 
vancing into this province, and that his light troops 
have adually pafled the Pedee. The objed of this 
movement there is every reafon to believe is Cam- 
den, which at prefent is but weak. Lord Rawdon 
having detached Lieutenant-colonel Watfon, with 
two battalions from that poft; fo that in the end 
it may be expedient for combining our force, to 
relinquifh every thing on the other fide Santee — a 
meafure, however, which your Excellency may be 

afliired 



previous to the entering Virginia. g i 

aflured will not be taken but in cafe of the utmoft 
neceffity. 

y^s this movement of Greene's may confiderably change 
Lord Cornwallis s views^ {who is now at Wilmington) 
I have judged it fit to lay before your Excellency 
as foon as poffible this intelligence, which is like- 
wife forwarded to Lord Cornwallis by an exprefs 
boat. 

I have the honour, &c. 

(Signed) W. BALFOUR. 



Extras of a letter from Lord Rawdon to Lord Corn- 
wallis^ May 24, 1 78 1. 

Lieutenant-colonel Balfour was fo good as to 
meet me at Nelfon's. He took this meafure that 
he might reprefent his circumflances to me. He 
ftated that the revolt was univerfal, that from the 
little reafon to apprehend this ferious invafion,'"' the 
old works of Charles-town had been in part levelled, to 
make way for new ones, which were not yet conflru5led; 
that its garrifon was inadequate to oppofe any force of 
confequence, and that the defection of the town s people 
fliewed itfelf in a thou/and injiances. I agreed with him 

in 

* It is prefumable that Colonel Balfour like wife communicated this material 
information to Lord Cornwallis. 



9 2 Extra^s from the Correfpondence 

in the conclufion to be drawn from thence, that any 
misfortune happening to my corps might entail the 
lofs of the province. 



Copy. — Earl Cornwallis to Lord George Germain^ dated 
Wilmington^ April 23, 1 7 8 1 . 

MY LORD, 

I YESTERDAY received an exprefs by a fmall 
veflel from Charles-Town, informing me that a 
frigate was there, but not then able to get over the 
bar, with difpatches from Sir Henry Clinton, noti- 
fying to me that Major-general Phillips had been 
detached into the Chefapeak with a confiderable 
force, with inftrudlions to co-operate with this army, 
and to put himfelf under my orders. This exprefs 
likewife brought me the difagreeable accounts that 
the upper pofts of South Carolina were in the moft 
imminent danger, from an alarming fpirit of revolt 
among many of the people, and by a movement of 
General Greene's army. 

Although the exprefles which I fent from Crofs 
Creek, to inform Lord Rawdon of the neceffity I 
was under of coming to this place, and to warn him 
of the pofTibility of fuch an attempt of the enemy, 
had all mifcarried; yet his Lordfhip was lucky enough 

to 



previous to the entering Virginia. ^2 

to be apprized of General Greene's approach, at leaft 
fix days before he could poiTibly reach Camden; and 
I am therefore ftill induced to hope, from my opinion 
of his Lordfhip's abilities and the precautions taken 
by him and Lieutenant-colonel Balfour, that we 
fhall not be fo unfortunate as to lofe any confiderable 
corps. 

The diftance from hence to Camden, the want of 
forage and fubfiftence on the greateft part of the 
road, and the difficulty of paffing the Pedee when 
oppofed by an enemy, render it utterly impoffible 
for me to give immediate affiftance; and I appre- 
hend a pofTibility of the utmoft hazard to this little 
corps without the chance of a benefit in the attempt. 
For, if we are fo unlucky as to fuffer a fevere blow 
in South Carolina, the fpirit of revolt in that pro- 
vince would become very general, and the numerous 
rebels in this province be encouraged to be more 
than ever adive and violent. This might enable 
General Greene to hem me in among the Great 
Rivers, and by cutting off our fubfiftence render our 
arms ufelefs; and to remain here for tranfports to 
carry us off would be a work of time, would loofe 
our cavalry, and be otherwife as ruinous and dif- 
graceful to Britain as moft events could be. I have 
therefore under fo many embarraffing circumftances 
(but looking upon Charles-town as Jafe from any immedi- 
ate attack of the rebels) refolved to take advantage of 
General Greene's having left the back part of Vir- 
ginia 



94 Extra^s from the Correjpondence 

ginia open, and march immediately into that pro- 
vince, to attempt a jundion with General Phillips. 

I have more readily decided upon this meafure, 
becaufe if General Greene fails in the objed of his 
march, his retreat will relieve South Carolina; and 
my force being very infufficient for ofTenfive opera- 
tions in this province, may be employed ufefuUy in 
Virginia, in conjundion with the corps under the 
command of General Phillips. 

I have the honour, &c. 

(Signed) CORNWALLIS. 



Copy. — From Earl Cornwallis to Sir Henry Clinton^ 
dated Wilmington^ April 24, 1781. 

S I R, 

I HAVE refleded very ferioufly on the fubjed; 
of my attempt to march into Virginia, and have in 
confequence written a letter to Major-general Phil- 
lips, of which I have the honour to inclofe a copy 
to your Excellency. 

I have likewife direded Lieutenant-colonel Balfour 
to fend tranfports and provifions to this port, in cafe 
I fhould find the jundion with Major-general Phil- 
lips impracticable; and that I fhould have the mor- 
tification of feeing that there is no other method of 

conveying 



previous to the entering Virginia. 95 

conveying his Majefty's troops to South Carolina, 
without expofing them to the moft evident danger 
of being loft. 

I have the honour, &c. 

(Signed) CORNWALLIS. 



Copy. — From Earl Cornwallis to Major-general Phillips^ 
dated April 24, 1 7 8 1 . 

Dear Phillips, 

MY fituation here is very diftreffing, Greene took 
the advantage of my being obliged to come to this 
place, and has marched to South Carolina. My ex- 
prefTes to Lord Rawdon on my leaving Crofs Creek, 
warning him of the poffibility of fuch a movement, 
have all failed; mountaineers and militia have poured 
into the back part of that province, and I much fear 
that Lord Rawdon's pofts will be fo diftant from each 
other, and his troops fo fcattered, as to put him in 
danger of being beat in detail; and that the worft of 
confequences may happen to moft of the troops out 
of Charles-town. 

By a dired: move towards Camden I cannot get 
time enough to relieve Lord Rawdon, and ftiould he 
have fallen, my army would be expofed to the utmoft 

danger, 



9 6 Ex trails from the Correjpondence 

danger, from the great rivers I fhould have to pafs, 
the exhaufted ftate of the country, the numerous 
militia, the almofl univerfal fpirit of revolt which 
prevails in South Carolina, and the flrength of 
Greene's army, whofe continentals alone are at leaft 
as numerous as I am: and I could be of no ufe on 
my arrival at Charles-town, there being nothing at 
prefent to apprehend for that poft. I fhall therefore 
immediately march up the country by Duplin court 
houfe, pointing towards Hillfborough, in hopes to 
withdraw Greene. If that fhould not fucceed, I fhould 
be much tempted to try to make a jundion with you. 
1'he attempt is exceedingly hazardous^ and many unforejeen 
difficulties may render it totally impra5iicable ; fo that you 
muft not take any fteps that may expofe your army 
to the danger of being ruined. I fhall march to the 
loweft ford of the Roanoke, which I am informed is 
about twenty miles above Taylor's ferry. Send every 
poffible intelligence to me by the cypher I inclofe, and 
make every movement in your power to facilitate our 
meeting (which muft be fomewhere near Peterfburg) 
with fafety to your own army. / mention the loweji 
ford, becaufe in a hoftile country, ferries cannot be 
depended upon; but if I fhould decide upon the 
meafure of endeavouring to come to you, I fhall try 
to furprife the boats at fome of the ferries from 
Halifax, upwards, &c. 

(Signed) CORNWALLIS. 

Copy. 



previous to the entering Virginia. oy 



Copy. — From Lieutenant-colonel Balfour to Sir Henry 
Clinton J K. B. dated Charles-town^ May 6, 178 1. 

S I R, 

IN my letters of the 20th and 23d ultimo, I had 
the honour to inform your Excellency, that our poft 
at Wright's bluff was invefted by the enemy, and 
the apprehenfions I was then under of Camden being 
in the fame fituation. 

I am now to inform you that the former has fince 
been furrendered. The circumftances which led to 
this cannot be more fully explained, or with more 
honour to himfelf than by Lieutenant Mackay's 
journal of the fiege; which together with the articles 
of capitulation, I therefore inclofe for your Excel- 
lency's infpedlion. 

By to-morrow I am in hopes Lord Rawdon will 
be re-inforced by Lieutenant-colonel Watfon, with 
his corps and the fixty-fourth regiment. 

But notwithftanding Lord Rawdon's brilliant fuc- 
cefs, I muft inform your Excellency, that the general 
ftate of the country is moft diftreffing; that the ene- 
mies parties are every where; the communication by 
land with Savannah no longer exifts ; Colonel Brown 
is invefted at Augufta; and Colonel Cruger in the 
moft critical fituation at Ninety-fix, nearly confined 
to his works, and without any prefent command 

over 



98 Extra^s from the Correfpondence, i^c. 

over that country. Indeed I fhould betray the duty 
I owe your Excellency, did I not reprefent the de- 
fection of this province fo univerfal, that I know of 
no mode ihort of depopulation, to retain it. This 
fpirit of revolt is in a great meafure kept up by the 
many officers prifoners of war here; and I fhould 
therefore think it advifable to remove them, as well 
as to make the moft ftriking examples of fuch, as 
having taken proted:ion, fnatch every occalion to 
rife in arms againft us. 

I have the honour, &c. 

(Signed) W. BALFOUR. 



PART VII. 



PART VII, 

CONTAINING 

EXTRACTS 

FROM THE 

Correfpondence from his Lordfhip's entering Vir- 
ginia, &c. 



Extra5l. — From Sir Henry Clinton^ K. B. to Lord 
Cornwallis, dated New Tork, May 2^, 1781. 

MY LORD, 

I H A D the honour of writing to your Lord- 
fhip by Lord Chewton, who failed from hence in the 
Richmond the 4th inftant to join you at Wilmington. 
But your Lordfhip's departure from thence will have 
prevented his meeting you there, and I hope he has 
fince then joined you in the Chefapeak. 

s When 



lOO Extra^s from the Correjpondence 

When I firft heard of your Lordfhip's retreat from 
Crofs Creek to Wilmington, I confefs that I was in 
hopes you had reafon to confider Greene fo totally 
hors de combat as to be perfectly at eafe for Lord 
Rawdon's fafety. And after your arrival at Wil- 
mington, I flattered myfelf that if any change of cir- 
cumftances ihould make it neceflary, you could always 
have been able to march to the Walkamaw, where I 
imagined veflels might have pafled you over to George 
town. I cannot therefore conceal from your Lord- 
fhip the apprehenfions I felt on reading your letter 
to me of the 24th ultimo; wherein you informed me 
of the critical fituation which you fuppofed the Caro- 
linas to be in; and that you fhould probably attempt 
to efi^ed a jundion with Major general Phillips. 
Lord Rawdon's officer-like and fpirited exertions, in 
taking advantage of Greene's having detached from 
his army, have indeed eafed me of my apprehenfions 
for the prefent. But in the difordered flate of Caro- 
lina and Georgia, as reprefented to me by Lieutenant- 
colonel Balfour, I fhall dread what may be the con- 
fequence of your Lordfhip's move; unlefs a reinforce- 
ment arrives very foon in South Carolina, and fuch 
inftrudiions are fent to the officer commanding there, 
as may induce him to exert himfelf in reftoring tran- 
quility to that province at leafl:. Thefe, I make no 
doubt your Lordffiip has already fent to Lord Raw- 
don, and that every neceflliry meafure for this pur- 

pofe 



from his Lord/hip's entering Virginia. loi 

pofe will be taken by his Lordfhip in confequence of 
them, fhould he remain in the command. 

Had it been poiTible for your Lordfhip, in 

your letter of the loth ultimo, to have intimated the 
probability of your intention to form a junction with 
General Phillips, I certainly fhould have endeavour- 
ed to have flopped you as I did then, as well 

as now, confider fuch a move as like to be dangerous 
to our interefts in the fouthern colonies. And this, 
my Lord, was not my only fear. For I will be free 
to own that I was apprehenfive for the corps under 
your Lordfhip's immediate orders, as well as for that 
under Lord Rawdon. And I fhould not have thought 
even the one under Major-general Phillips in fafety 
at Peterfburg, at leafl for fo long a time, had I not 
fortunately on hearing of your being at Wilmington, 
fent another detachment from this army, to reinforce 
him. 

I am perfuaded your Lordfhip will have the 
goodnefs to excufe my faying thus much. But what 
is done cannot now be altered. And as your Lord- 
fhip has thought proper to make this decifion, I fhall 
mofl gladly avail myfelf of your very able affifliance, 
in carrying on fuch operations as you /hall judge befi in 
Virginia^ until we are compelled, as I fear we muft 
be, by the climate, to bring them more northward. 
Your Lordfhip will have been informed of my ideas 
refpeding operations to the northward of the Caroli- 
nas, by my inflruftions to the different General offi- 
cers 



I02 Extratls from the Correfpondence 

cers detached to the Chefapeak, and the fubftance of 
fome converfations with General Phillips on the 
fubjed, which I committed to writing, and fent 
to him with my laft difpatch, with diredions to 
communicate it to your Lordfhip. By thefe your 
Lordfhip will obferve that my firft obje6l has been 
to co-operate with your meafures. But your Lord- 
(hip's fituation at different periods made it neceflary 
for me occafionally to vary my inftruftions to thofe 
General officers, according to circumftances. They 
were originally direded to affift your Lordihip's 
operations in fecuring South and recovering North 
Carolina; their attention was afterwards pointed to 
the faving South Carolina. 

And now, your Lordfhip may think it neceffary to 
employ your force in recovering both or either of 
thefe provinces, by either a diredt or indired: opera- 
tion. With refped to the firft your Lordfhip muft 
be fole judge. With refped to the laft you have my 
opinions. My opinions may however probably give 
way to yours Jhould they differ from them, as they will 
have the advantage of being formed on the/pot, and upon 
circumftances which at this dijlance I cannot of courfe 
judge of I fhall therefore leave them totally to your 
Lordfhip to decide upon, till you either hear from me or 
we meet. 

I fhould be happy to be able to afcertain the time 
when our reinforcements may arrive; but as I have 
received no letters from the minifter of a later date 

than 



from his Lord/hip's entering Virginia. 103 

than the 7th of February, I am at a lofs to guefs how 
foon we may exped: them. As I had judged the 
force I fent to the Chefapeak fully fufficient for all 
operations there, even though we fhould extend them 
to the experiment (mentioned in the converfations 
referred to) at the weftern head of the Chefapeak, 
about Baltimore, &c. And your Lordfhip will per- 
ceive that it was General Phillips and Arnold's opi- 
nion they were fufficient for even that on the eaftern, 
(which however might certainly require a greater 
force), it is poffible that the additional corps your 
Lordfhip has brought with you may enable you to 
return fomething to me for this poll. But I beg your 
Lordfhip will by no means confider this as a call — 
for I fhould rather content myfelf with ever fo bare 
a defenfive, until there was an appearance of ferious 
operation againft me, than cramp your's in the leafl. 
But (as I faid in a former letter) I truft to your 
Lordfhip's difintereftednefs, that you will not require 
from me more troops than what are abfolutely want- 
ed; and that you will recoiled a circumftance, which 
I am ever aware of, in carrying on operations in the 
Chefapeak ; which is that they can be no longer fecure 
than while we are Juperior at Jea. That we fhall re- 
main fo I mofl fincerely hope — nor have I any reafon 
to fufped we fhall not; but at all events I may at 
leaft exped timely information will be fent me of the 
contrary being likely to happen. In which cafe I 
hope your Lordfhip may be able to place your army in 

a fecure 



1 04 Extra5is from the Correjpondence 

a Jecure fituation during Juch temporary inconvenience. 
For fhould it become permanent, I need not fay 
what our profpeds in this country are likely to be. 
The admiral being now off the Hook gives me an 
opportunity of communicating with him by letter, 
and I have in the moft preffing terms requefted his 
attention to the Chefapeak; having repeatedly told 
him, that ihould the enemy pojfejs it even for forty-eight 
hours^ your Lord/hip's operations there may be expofed to 
moft imminent danger. General Robertfon has alfo en- 
deavoured to imprefs him with the fame ideas. But 
until I have an anfwer in writing, I cannot be fure 
that he will, as I do, confider the Chefapeak as the 
firft objed. For he at prefent feems rather inclined 
to lead his fleet to open the port of Rhode-ifland, 
and to cruife to the northward of Nantucket for a 
fleet, which he has heard is coming from Europe with 
a fmall reinforcement to the French armament, and 
which I am of opinion is bound to Rhode-ifland. I 
have however taken every occafion to reprefent to 
him the neceflity of hearty co-operation and commu- 
nication. If they fail, I am determined it fliall not 
be on my fide. 

I have the honour, &c. 

(Signed) H. CLINTON. 

[Sent by Lieutenant-colonel M'Pherfon, in the 
Loyalift, June 15.] 

IjictraB. 



from his Lord/hip's entering Virginia. 105 



Extras. — From Earl CornwalUs to Sir Henry Clinton, 
K. B. dated Bird! s Plantation, North of James-river, 
May 16, 1 78 1. 

S I R, 

THE arrival of the reinforcement has made me 
eafy about Portfmouth for the prefent. I have fent 
General Leflie thither with the feventeenth regiment, 
and the two battalions of Anfpach, keeping the forty- 
third regiment with the army. 

I fhall now proceed to diflodge La Fayette from 
Richmond, and with my light troops to deftroy any 
magazines or flores in the neighbourhood, which may 
have been colleded either for his ufe, or for General 
Greene's army. From thence I purpofe to move to 
the neck at Williamfburgh, which is reprefented as 
healthy, and where fome fubfiftence may be procu- 
red; and keep myfelf unengaged from operations, 
which might interfere with your plan for the campaign, 
until I have the fatisfadlfon of hearing from you. I 
hope I fhall then have an opportunity to receive 
better information than has hitherto been in my 
power to procure, relative to a proper harbour and 
place of arms. At prefent I am inclined to think 
well of York. The objections to Portfmouth are, 
that it cannot be made ftrong without an army to 
defend it; that it is remarkably unhealthy; and can 

give 



1 o6 ExtraBs from the Correfpondence 

give no proteftion to a fhip of the line. Wayne has 
not yet joined La Fayette, nor can I pofitively learn 
where he is, or what is his force. Greene's cavalry 
are faid to be coming this way; but I have no cer- 
tain accounts of it. 

Your Excellency defires General Phillips and Ar- 
nold to give you their opinions relative to Mr. 

's propofal. As General Arnold goes to 

New-York by the firft fafe conveyance, you will 
have an opportunity of hearing his fentiments in 
perfon. Experience has made me lefs fanguine, and 
more arrangements feem to me neceflary for fo im- 
portant an expedition than appears to occur to 
General Arnold. 

Mr. 's converfations bear too great a re- 

femblance to thofe of the emiflaries from North 
Carolina, to give me much confidence; and from the 
experience I have had, and the dangers I have under- 
gone, one maxim appears to me to be abfolutely 
neceflary for the fafe and honourable condud: of this 
war; which is, that we fhould have as few pofts as 
poffible; and that wherever the King's troops are, 
they fhould be in refpedable force. By the vigor- 
ous exertions of the prefent governors of America, 
large bodies of men are foon colleftd, and I have 
too often obferved, that when a fl:orm threatens, our 
friends difappear. 

In regard to taking pofl^efTion of Philadelphia by 
an incurfion (even if pradicable) without an intention 

of 



from his Lord/hip's entering Virginia. 107 

of keeping or burning it, (neither of which appear 
to be advifeable) I fhould apprehend it would do 
more harm than good to the caufe of Britain. 

I fhall take the liberty of repeating, that if offen- 
five war is intended, Virginia appears to me to be 
the only province in which it can be carried on; 
and in which there is a flake. But to reduce the 
province and keep pofTeffion of the country, a con- 
fiderable army would be neceffary; for with a fmall 
force, the bufinefs would probably terminate un- 
favourably, though the beginning might be fuccefs- 
ful. In cafe it is thought expedient, and a proper 
army for the attempt can be formed; I hope your 
Excellency will do me the juftice to believe, that I 
neither wifh nor exped; to have the command of it, 
leaving you at New York on the defenfive. Such 
fentiments are fo far from my heart, that I can with 
great truth aflure you, that few things could give 
me greater pleafure, than being relieved by your 
prefence, from a fituation of fo much anxiety and 
refponfibility. 

By my letter of the 20th, your Excellency will 
obferve, that inflead of thinking it possible to do any 
thing in North Carolina, I am of opinion that it is 
doubtful whether we can keep the pofts in the back 
parts of South Carolina. And I believe I have ftated 
in former letters, the infinite difficulty of proteding 
a frontier of three hundred miles, againft a perfevering 
enemy, in a country where we have no water com- 
T munication 



io8 Extra5ls from the Correfpondence 

munlcation, and where few of the inhabitants are 
adlive or ufeful friends. 

In enumerating the corps employed in the fouthern 
diftrid, your Excellency will recoiled: that they are 
all very weak ; and that fome of the Britifh as well 
as Provincial regiments, retain nothing but the 
name. Our weaknefs at Guildford was not owing 
to any detachment, unlefs that with the baggage, but 
to lofTes by adion, ficknefs, &c. during the winter's 
campaign. 



Extract . — Sir Henry Clinton^ K. B. to Lord Cornwallis, 
dated New-York^ June 1 1 , 1 7 8 1 . 

RESPECTING my opinions of ftations in James 
and York rivers, I fhall beg leave only to refer your 
Lordfhip to my inftrudions to, and correfpondence 
with. General Phillips and Arnold, together with 
the fubftance of my converfations with the former ; 
which your Lordfhip will have found amongft Gene- 
ral Phillips's papers, and to which I referred you 
in my laft difpatch; I fhall therefore of courfe ap- 
prove of any alterations your Lordfhip may think 
proper to make in thofe ftations. 

The 



from his Lord/hip's entering Virginia. 109 

The detachments I have made from this army 
into Chefapeak fince General Leflie's expedition in 
0(5lober laft, incluflve, have amounted to feven 
thoufand feven hundred and twenty-four effedlives; 
and at the time your Lordfhip made the jundion 
with the corps there, there were under Major-general 
Phillips's orders, five thousand three hundred and 
four. A force, I fhould have hoped would be fuffi- 
cient of itfelf to carry on any operations in any of 
the fouthern provinces in America. 

comparing, therefore the force under your 

Lordfhip, and that of the enemy oppofed to you 
(and I think it clearly appears they have, for the 
prefent, no intention of fending thither reinforce- 
ment) I fhould have hoped you would have quite 
fufficient to carry on any operation in Virginia — 
fhould that have been advifable in this advanced 
feafon. 

By the intercepted letters inclofed to your Lord- 
fhip in my laft difpatch, you will obferve, that I am 
threatened with a fiege in this poft. My prefent 
effedlive force is only ten thoufand nine hundred and 
thirty-one. With refpedl to what the enemy may 
colled for fuch an objed, it is probable they may 
amount to at leaft twenty thoufand ; befides rein- 
forcement to the French (which from pretty good 
authority, I have reafon to exped) and the numer- 
ous militia of the five neighbouring provinces. 

Thus 



no Extratls from the Correfpondence 

Thus circumftanced, I am perfuaded your Lordfhip 
will be of opinion, that the fooner I concentrate my 
force the better. Therefore, (unlefs your Lordfhip, 
after the receipt of my letters of the 29th of May 
and 8th inft. fhould incline to agree with me in opin- 
ion, and judge it right to adopt my ideas refpeding 
the move to Baltimore, or the Delaware Neck, &c.) 
I beg leave to recommend it to you, as foon as you 
have finifhcd the aftive operations you may be now 
engaged in, to take a defenfive ftation in any healthy 
fituation you choofe (be it at Williamfburgh or 
York town) and I would wifh in that cafe, that after 
referving to yourfelf fuch troops as you may judge 
neceffary for an ample defenfive, and defultory move- 
ments by water, for the purpofe of annoying the 
enemy's communications, dellroying magazines, &c. 
the following corps may be fent to me in fucceffion, 
as you can fpare them ; 

Two battalions of light infantry. 

Forty-third regiment. 

Seventy-fixth, or eightieth. 

Two battalions of Anfpach. 

Queen's rangers, cavalry and infantry. 

Remains of the detachment of the feventeenth 
light dragoons. 
And fuch a proportion of artillery as can be fpared, 
particularly men. 



Copy 



from his Lordjhif s entering Virginia. 1 1 1 

Copy. — Sir Henry Clinton^ K. B. to Lord Cornwallis, 
dated New-Tork^ June 15, 1781. 

MY LORD, 

As the Admiral has thought proper to ftop the 
failing of the convoy with ftores, horfe, accoutre- 
ments, &c. (which has been for fome days ready to 
fail to the Chefapeak) without affigning to me any 
reafon for fo doing, I delay not a moment to difpatch 
a runner to your Lordfhip with a duplicate of my 
letter of the i ith inft. which was to go by that op- 
portunity. And as I am led to fuppofe from your 
Lordfhip's letter of the 26th ultimo, that you may 
not think it expedient to adopt the operations I had 
recommended in the Chefapeak, and will by this 
time probably have finifhed thofe you were engaged 
in; I requeft you will immediately embark a part of 
the troops, ftated in the letter inclofed; beginning 
with the light infantry; and fend them to me with 
all poflible difpatch; for which purpofe Captain 
Hudfon, or officer commanding the king's fhips, will, 
I prefume, upon your Lordfhip's application appoint 
a proper convoy. I fhall likewife, in proper time, 
folicit the admiral to fend fome more tranfports to 
the Chefapeak; in which your Lordfhip will pleafe 
to fend hither the remaining troops you judge can 
be fpared from the defence of the polls you may 
occupy, as I do not think it advifeable to leave more 

troops 



112 ExtraEis from the Correspondence 

troops In that unhealthy climate, at this feafon of the 
year, than what are abfolutely wanted for a defenfive, 
and defultory water excurfions. 

H. CLINTON. 



Extras. — Lord Cornwallis, to Sir Henry Clinton^ K. B. 
dated Williamjburgh^ June ^o^ 1781. 

BEING in the place of General Phillips, 



I thought myfelf called upon by you, to give my 

opinion, with all deference, on Mr. 's pro- 

pofals, and the attempt upon Philadelphia. Having 
experienced much difappointment on that head, I 
own I would cautioufly engage in meafures, depend- 
ing materially for. their fuccefs, upon adive afliftance 
from the country. And I thought the attempt on 
Philadelphia would do more harm than good to the 
caufe of Great Britain. 

However, my opinion on that fubjedl is at 

prefent of no great importance, as it appears from 
your Excellency's difpatches, that in the execution 
of thofe ideas, a co-operation was intended from your 
fide; which now could not be depended upon from 

the 



from his Lord/hip's entering Virginia. 1 13 

the uncertainty of the permancy of our naval fupe- 
riority, and your apprehenfions of an intended ferious 
attempt upon New York. 



END OF THE APPENDIX. 



Return of intrenching T'ools in the pqfejfion of the Engi- 
neers at York 'Town, in Virginia, on the i^d of Au- 
guft, 1781. 



Spades and fhovels - 


400 


Pick-axes 


190 


Felling-axes 


210 


Hand-hatchets 


160 


Wheel-barrows 


32 




992 


New-York, 


OL. DE LANCY, 


Bee. 27, i'-8i. 


Adjutant-General, 



N. B. This return formed from different returns, 
figned by Lieutenant Sutherland, Lord Corn- 
wallis's principal Engineer in the Chefapeak. 



VIEW 



^ E 



He 

ierr 
•k o 

Ch 



It ti 

FNi 

lout 
Z^lo 

th] 

17I 



.te^ 
cru 



A VIEW of the STRENGTH of the TWO AR MIES, (Regular and Provincial) ading under the Commamobr :n Ch,.p and Lieutenan.-General Ear. Cn, 

at different Periods of the Years 1780 and ,781 ; and of the REGULAR FORCE of the ENEMY French and Amprt^.s " ' ™ f^"" Cornwalus, 

■ r, 1- ^ , , . ^ i-y i-^ ivi. 1, TKLNCH ana /imericans, oppoied to each n the r rf-fn,^/^;,,^ r»- 

tri6ls, according to Calculations drawn from the beft Information that could be procured. refpeftive Dis- 



Under the immcjiate Command of Sir Hcnrv Clinton at different 
Periods. 



Rank and 

File fit for 

Duty. 



In South Carolina, Georgia, and Eaft Florida in the 
Month of May, 1780 — — — 



Embarked with Sir Henry Clinton for New- York on 
the ill of June, 1780, after the reduftion of 
Charles-town, and the SubmilTion of the greateft 
Part of South Carolina — — — — 



At New- York and its Dependencies on the rfl of 
July, 1780, including the Corps which accom- 
panied Sir Henry Clinton from Charles-town — 



|At Do. on the ift of November, 1780, after General 
I Leflie's Expedition had failed, and including 2372 
\ foreign and Britifh recruits arrived from Europe 
I October 30th, 1780. — — — — 

N. B. Thefe recruits very fickly, and ipread Con- 
tagion through the Army. 

At Do. on the ift of January, 1781, after the De- 
tachment fent to South Carolina under General 
Bofe, and that to Chelapeak under Brigadier-gene- 
ral Arnold — — — — — 



At Do. on the ift of June, 1781, after the Detach- 
ments fent to the Chefapeak under General Phillips 
and Colonel De Voit — — — — 



At Do. on the ift of Auguft, 1781, including 326 
Britifh Recruits joined June 27th — • — 



At Do. on the ift of September, 1781, including 
2408 German Levies joined the 14th of Auguft, 
and the Fortieth Regiment from the Weft Indies 
joined the 28th of Auguft — — — 



I I 129 



4"4 



114298 



12865 



1 1929 



9181 



1007s 



1189^ 



Average Strength of the Enemv (including French ai\J cxclufivc of 
Militia) oppofed to Sir Henry Clinton at different Periods. 



In Charles-town, when befieged, were the Virginia, 
Maryland, and Delaware Brigades — — 



Continentals under General Wafhington in the vicin- 
age of New- York and in the Forts — 



French Army at Rhode Ifland under Count Rocham- 
beau arrived July 12, 1780 — — 



Total 



Continentals under GeneraJ Waftidngton in the Forts, 
and their Vicinage, after the Revolt of the Penn- 
fylvania and Jerfey lines, and the Detachment: 
lent to the Southward under Generals Greene, La 
Fayette, and Wayne — — — 



French Troops who joined him from Rhode IHand 
in July, after which he took the Field — 



Total 



Rank and 

File according 
to the Intel, 
ligence re. 
ceived. 



3000 



Under the Commaad of Earl Cornwallis in the whole Southern Diftrict : 
different Periods. 



14000 



igSbo 



Rank and 

File fit foi 

Duty. 



Left by Sir Henry Clinton with Earl Cornwallis in 
the Southern Diftrict, after the Embarkation for 
New- York on the ift of June, 1780 — — 

Sent to the Chefapeak under General Leflie the 6th' 
of October, 1780, and joined the Army in South: 
Carolina in December, 1780 — — ; 

Recruits fent to Charles-town under General Bofe' 
the 4tllt of November, 178^ — — — [ 

Total in South Carolina, Georgia, and Eaft Florida' 
to the Clofe of the Year 1780 — — I 

Marched with Earl Cornwallis into Virginia the 25th 
of April, 178:1 — — — ' — • 



7115 



2 2q6 



573 



Average Strength of the Enemy (including French and exclufive of 
Militia) oppofed to Earl Cornwallis at different Periods. 



Third, Nineteenth, and Thirtieth Regiments, and 
Britifh Recruits arrived at Charles-town the latter 
End of May, 178'! — — — 



Sent to the Chefapeak under Brigadier-general Ar- 
nold the I ith of December, i78'o — — 



H55 



8459 

2334 
'0793 



1608: 



6000 



5,000 



Ditto to ditto under General Phillips, March, 1781 20^29 

Ditto to ditto under Colonel De Voit, April 29, 17811 1620 

Aorived with Earl Cornwallis from Carolina the 

20th of May, 1781 — — — — ii43;5 

Drafts from the Guards an-ived from Elngland and'i 

Charles-town in June — — — — { 1 50 



Regular Continental Troops under General Gates, 
taken at_ the higheft Calculation before the firll 
Battle of Camden, i6th of August, 1780 



Regular Troops under General Greene before th( 
Battle of Guildford on the 15th of March, 1781 



Regular Troops under General Greene before the 
fecond Battle of Camden, April 25th, 1781 



Regulaj Troops, of the Enemy uader General Greene 
in South Carolina — — — 



Regular Troops under the Marquis La Fayette in 
Virginia a«d Maryland — — — — 



Rank and 
File according 
to the intel- 



1500 



900 



Convalefcents fent to Portfmouth under Lieutenant- 
colonel Macpherfon — - — — 



— 500 



Regular Troops under Marquis De la Fayette in 

Virginia — — — • — — — lood 



Joined by a body of Eighteen-months Men 



— 1000 



In Virginia — — — — 

In the Carolinas, Georgia, and Eaft Florida 



-Joined by the French Troops under Monfieur St. 
7342 I Simon in the Beginning of September, 1 781 — ' 3800 



»o793 



Total Rank and File fit for Duty left with Earl 
CornwalBs, and fent to the Southward between' 
June 178J' and May 1 781. — — — { 18135 



Total regular French and Afnerican Troops op- 
pofed to Lord Cornwallis in Virginia, before 
the Junftion of General W^ftiingion — — 5800 



N. B. As Sir Henry Clinton didnotrecei 



"ive regular Returns of the Troops in the Southern Diftria, he cannot pofitively fay tl^it their fit for Duty at different Periods exaftly correfponded with the above State «if then ; but he 
has endeavoured to be as exaft as his Information would admit. The Militia of the Enemy, (which were a very fluftuating Body) oppofed to either Army on particular Occafions, are not noticed m the above View ; 
becaufe, though there can be no Doubt that Lord Cornwallis had at Times very confiderable Numbers of them afting againft him, it is equally notorious that the Militia of the Northern Provinces, who were even 
more numerous and ufed to Arms than thol'e to the Southward, could be collefted on Occasion with ftill greater Facijity, and were conftantly ready to oppofe any move of the Divifion of the Army ijnder Sir nenry 
Clinton's immediate Command. 



LEJe'lO 



CAMPAIGN IN 1781. 



Clinton's Observations 



ON 



CORNWALLIS' ANSWER. 



W 72, 
















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